Kashmiri separatists plan week-long protests for Burhan Wani’s death anniversary, call for complete shutdown

The separatist leadership in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has issued a week-long protest calendar from 7 to 13 July to commemorate the first death anniversary of former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, media reports said on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_3174018” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Kashmiris carrying the body of Burhan Wani. Reuters[/caption] In a joint statement, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik said complete strike will be observed on Saturday and 13 July to pay tribute to Burhan Wani and other locals who have been killed by the Indian Army, according to Radio Pakistan. The protests, Hindustan Times reported, will conclude on 13 July, the day on which 22 Kashmiris died during 1931 protests against Maharaja Hari Singh in Srinagar. The leadership has also asked people to participate in an online ‘Kashmir Awareness Campaign’ on 11 July, Kashmiri Observer reported. A rally will be held at Tral on 8 July to pay homage to Burhan Wani and all other Kashmiri men who were killed in encounters with the armed forces, reported Kashmir Media Service. Burhan Wani along with two of his associates was shot dead by Indian troops in an encounter on 8 July, 2016. Meanwhile, a rally planned by the United Kingdom-based Kashmiri groups to observe ‘Burhan Wani Day’ in London was cancelled by the Birmingham authorities.

After India lodges protest with UK, permission to observe Burhan Wani day in London cancelled by Birmingham City Council

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2017

India had raised concern over the rally as the Indian High Commission in London sent a “note verbale” on Monday to the United Kingdom to register its protest. India gave the authorities details of Wani’s crimes and propagation of violence in the Valley.