Separatists extend shutdown call to September 8

The separatist camp today extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till September 8, asking people to "occupy" Srinagar Airport road and Lal Chowk on September 3 and 4, the days when an all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit the Valley.
"Occupy Srinagar Airport road, Lal Chowk and district headquarters from 9 am to 6 pm for two days (September 3 and 4). Protest with flags, banners and placards with messages 'We Want Freedom' and 'Go India go Back'," a fresh protest calendar issued by the separatists read.
The all-party delegation will interact with a cross section of people as part of efforts to restore peace in the unrest-hit Valley.

Comprising both factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF of Mohammad Yaseen Malik, the separatist camp also asked people to offer their mid-day prayers on the roads.
"Play Islamic and 'Azadi taranas' (freedom songs) in mosques throughout the day, especially along Srinagar Airport road," they said.
However, the separatists asked people to resume normal activities from 6 pm to 6 am on both days.

They also asked people to carry out 'Azadi march' from every locality towards respective Tehsil headquarters on September 2 and offer Friday prayers there.
They also asked people to organise a one-day 'azadi convention' on September 5 and "deliberate and discuss" ways and means to "strengthen the ongoing movement for right to self-determination".

On September 6, the separatists called for women's protest and asked them to "assemble and occupy" local chowks and important squares for four hours and stage peaceful protests.
They asked people to "assemble and occupy" the highway from Banihal to Salambad in Uri and all other inter-district roads on September 7. It would be followed by painting of graffiti on the roads, lanes and walls with "resistance slogans" the next day.
Kashmir has been on the boil since July 9 following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces a day before.