SRINAGAR: The Hazratbal crisis ‘Appears to be deepening with a group ‘of armed JKLF militants, holed up inside the shrine, refusing to step out and the police setting a48hour deadline for their surrender.
Negotiations failed between police officials and some 20 militants who have been occupying the shrine since the shootout last week. A police Spokesman said the militants were not even prepared to hand over for ‘burial bodies of their eight colleagues Killed in the incident.
‘The militants have been told to surrender.
‘The police strictly enforced curfew around the shrine areas even as Srinagar and several towns except Anantnag observed a bandh in response to a call given by the JKLF (Amanullah faction).
Entry to the shrine area has been barred and even media persons are not being let in. The police have cordoned off Hazratbal and senior Government Officials have been camping near the shrine since fast week. The Governor’s adviser on security, Lt Gen D.D. Saklani, and the Director General of Police rushed to Srinagar.
‘The militants inside the shrine are demanding the presence of media persons at the shrine which they Say is 8 preconditions for talks. The Police unsuccessfully tried to rope in Office bearers of the shrine management committee as mediators.
JKLF supporters, who took out small processions in Maisuma, Rambagh and Dal gate, were dispersed by police who had to lob teargas shells, another procession led by Din Mohammad Cheeta, a former National Conference leader from Kupwara, in Support of the police action was dispersed in similar fashion. The protestors, who were raising slogans against the militants, condemned the desecration of shrines brought about by entry of armed militants.
Police sources said eight bodies of militants killed in the exchange of fire had been spotted inside the shrine premises. A military advisor of the group identified as Nikka Bhai, who died on March 24th, was buried Monday at Safapora village; Sources said at least seven policemen of an armed JKP battalion were seriously injured in the incident.
The police, who have been dragged into a major confrontation with separatist militants in the valley for the first time, claim they have launched a mopping up operation in the Hazratbal area. So far, five militants have been arrested.
A spokesman of the JKLF (Amanullah) claimed 17 of their activists were killed in the shootout. He wanted the media persons and public to be allowed to come to the shrine and warned that the strike would continue for an indefinite period throughout the Valley.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 27, 1996
