Complete shut down was observed in Kashmir to mark the death anniversary of Burhan Wani. picture Abid bhat

Srinagar: Normal life came to standstill in Kashmir on Sunday as the valley observed complete shutdown to mark the second death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed along with his two associates by government forces in Kokernag on this day in 2016.

On his death anniversary the native village of Burhan was turned into a garrison to prevent people from reaching there.

Hundreds of government force personnel’s were deployed around Eidgah Tral, where Burhan is buried.

Sources said that outside Burhan’s house, Police, Army and paramilitary CRPF men were on toes to ensure no gathering takes place.

Meanwhile the shutdown call was given by Joint Resistance Leadership comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad yasin Malik.

The local sources said that the massive clampdown was witnessed in Tral township of Pulwama district. Meanwhile elderly people said that it was the toughest ever clampdown imposed by the government in the past over two decades.

A group of residents said that curfew was imposed in Tral as government forces turned entire area into a fortress.

“Such was the intensity of the curfew that even kids were not allowed to venture out of their homes as all the entry and exit points were sealed by the government forces,” they said.

“Even those who had somehow managed to reach Burhan’s house were asked to leave,” he said.

Despite curbs, scores of youth tried to defy curbs in Tral and march towards Eidgah. “They were, however, intercepted and pushed back by the government forces,” another witness said.

Witnesses said that the curfew was also imposed in Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian district. While as Srinagar-Jammu highway wore a deserted look due to heavy deployment of government forces.

Government imposed toughest curbs across Srinagar under Section 144 to prevent pro-freedom gatherings.

Reports said that the entry points were sealed with barbed wires amid heavy deployment. “No vehicle was allowed to pass the Pantha Chowk by-pass which was sealed with rolls of concertina wires,” a witness said.

In downtown, all the roads were sealed with barbed wires while forces were seen ready to thwart any possible protest or pro-freedom gathering.

Meanwhile the Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu today due to law and order situation in Kashmir.

“The yatra was suspended from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu due to law and order situation in Kashmir,” a senior police officer said.

Pertinently the internet services remained suspended since yesterday, bringing the normal life to halt.