Reiterating the call for Saturday’s shutdown, Hurriyat Conference(M) chairman  Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday said that Hurriyat leadership had no option but to call for strikes to highlight before the international community the “oppression and barbarity being committed against Kashmiris.”

Addressing a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz said civilian killings by forces, arrests and harassment of people in the name of cordon and search operations continue unabated in Kashmir.

“And we are not even allowed to raise our voice against this brutal oppression. There are restrictions on protests, seminars and now even on our meetings. No door is open for us except calling for strikes,” he said.

Reacting to the amnesty given to stone pelters by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz said that such measures will not help till all the black laws are repealed.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz also unveiled a calendar featuring photos and history of Jamia Masjid on the occasion.

(Pictures by Zargar Zahoor)