Curfew re-imposed in Srinagar following massive protests

Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 27: Government today re-imposed curfew in parts of Srinagar after massive protests broke out in the city yesterday following lifting of curfew that remained in force since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani on July 8.
Police today detained chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference after they tried to carry out a protest march to Kulgam in South Kashmir.
Police detained Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani outside his residence at Hyderpora when he tried to carry out protest march to Kulgam in South Kashmir. He was shifted to Humhama Police Station.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also detained as he tried to carry out a protest march to Kulgam. A heavy contingent of police arrived at his residence and took him into custody.
In Srinagar, curfew was re-imposed this morning after it was lifted yesterday. As the curfew was lifted yesterday from Srinagar after 17 days since the killing of Burhan Wani early this month, it led to massive protests and protesters fought pitched battles with police across city.
Authorities this morning re-imposed curfew and it was strictly imposed and no one was allowed to move. Police and CRPF had blocked the main roads with concertina wires and had established nakas at several places and mobile bunkers were also stationed at vulnerable points to prevent any protests.
Police and CRPF armed with assault rifles and in riot gear were patrolling the streets in old city. In other parts of the city where the curfew was not imposed, police and CRPF were also deployed at sensitive spots to prevent protests.
The curfew was imposed in Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag districts of South Kashmir. Police, CRPF and Army were heavily deployed in these places and other major towns. The security forces were conducting regular patrols in these areas to prevent people from assembling for protests.
All entry points of Kulgam were sealed with concertina wire and no movement was allowed. The separatists had called for Kulgam march today to protest against the recent killings in Kashmir.
No major protests or clashes were reported during the day except at Tahab and Pahoo in Pulwama district and Keller in Shopian district. Protesters clashed with police and CRPF at these places and the police restored to teargas shelling.
In the evening, protests were reported from several parts of Srinagar and South Kashmir where protesters clashed with police. Police fired teargas shells to disperse them.
The Valley observed shutdown for 19th day today with people mostly staying indoors. Schools and colleges, despite summer vacation having ended, remained closed as no students and hardly any teachers turned up. Thin attendance in the Government offices was negligible in Srinagar city and other parts of Kashmir valley.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained disrupted for 19th day today and major roads and highways also remained shut. However, during the nights, the Amarnath Yatra and security forces convoys make movements.
The shops, business establishments and most of the banks remained shut with only some shops selling essentials opened in the early morning and late evening and people were seen busy in buying essentials.
The postpaid mobile telephony was restored today. However, the prepaid cell phone services and mobile internet continued to remain blocked across Valley. Only BSNL broadband services are functional.
A police spokesman said here that the situation throughout the Kashmir valley remained peaceful and under control today. “There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the Valley. Apart from police stations of old city Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag, there were no restrictions anywhere in the Kashmir valley. All post paid mobile services were restored last night”, he said.

Follow our WhatsApp channel