In context to it, an image is widely circulated on social media, in which some policemen are seen checking on a civilian. Moreover, fewer shops are open, and one can hardly see crowds on the streets.
The image is shared with the caption that a shutdown in Srinagar occurred during the Republic Day Celebration.
A social media user shared the image with a caption that read, “Complete strike is being observed, today, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Indian Republic Day, January 26. #BlackDayIndia”
SouthCheck found the claim to be fake. We found that the image is old and there was no shutdown in Srinagar.
On doing a Google Reverse Image Search, we found the image was published by Kashmir
Observer on January 22, 2021. The article associated with the image suggested that it was from the time when security was beefed up ahead of Amit Shah’s first visit to Srinagar after the abrogation of Article 370.
Hence, we could ascertain that the viral image was old.
We then contacted a local journalist, Sameer Manmotra from Jammu Ladakh Vision, who said that the claim was fake. He said, “There was a massive celebration in various parts of the state, and there was no shutdown announced by Hurriyat Conference.”
We further spoke to Mohammad Yaqoob Gatoo alias Mitha Gatoo, a social activist, who said that the main event of flag hoisting happened in Srinagar’s Bakshi stadium. He also said, “The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 people, but more people were there, and the bazaar was flourishing on the occasion.”
He also shared images with us, some of which are below.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral post is fake.
