Restrictions continue for 2nd day in Srinagar, other towns, trains remain suspended  for security reasons

SRINAGAR, MAY 28 (UNI):- A deserted view of Nalla Mar road in down town where Curfew was imposed along with areas falling under seven police stations in Srinagar and majority towns in the Kashmir valley, where separatists had called for two-day strike begins Sunday in protest against the killing of top Hizbul Mujhideen commander Sabzar Bhat and others in two separate encounter with Security forces on Saturday.UNI PHOTO-35U

SRINAGAR: Restrictions continued for the second day today in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas and some parts of the civil lines, besides several other major towns in Kashmir valley, where the situation remained by and large peaceful, except stone pelting incidents at six places yesterday.

However, people were allowed to offer ‘Taraweeh’  and Fajar (morning) prayers in Mosques, including the historic Jamia Masjid, despite restrictions.

Restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure, following  the two-day strike by the separatists from yesterday, in protest against the killing of eight militants, including Sabzar Bhat, a top Hizbul Mujhideen (HM) commander in two different encounters on May 27.

Killing of Sabzar, who had succeeded Burhan Wani, another militant killed in July last year, evoked massive protests across the valley, particularly in south Kashmir and Srinagar yesterday.

Two HM militants, including Sabzar, were killed in Tral of Pulwama, while six infiltrators were gunned down near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rampur sector of Uri.

According to District Magistrate of Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone, in view of the prevailing law and order situation, strict restrictions will remain imposed today within the territorial jurisdiction of seven police stations of Srinagar district, including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj and Rainawari in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and Kralkhud & Maisuma in the city.

It is further ordered that all the colleges and schools in District Srinagar will also remain closed today. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Judicial Examination will be held today as per schedule and the admit cards of candidates will be treated as curfew passes.

Click Here to Watch Video

Hundreds of State police and paramilitary forces, wearing bullet proof jackets, were deployed in the curfew-bound areas, directing people to remain indoors.

All main roads, including Nallahmar from Khanyar to Chattabal have been closed with barbed wire and parking bullet proof vehicles in the middle.

Repeated announcements were being made that curfew has been imposed. People living on both sides of the Nallahmar road alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses.

A large number of  security forces had been deployed around the historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who addresses the congregation every Friday there.

A report from Anantnag said that curfew restriction had been imposed in the town and adjoining areas.

 The District Magistrate (DM) of Anantnag said that strict restrictions would be in place in the territorial jurisdiction of the district for the second day today to prevent breach of peace and loss of life, in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

A report from south Kashmir said that strict restrictions remained imposed in the main towns and people were being directed to remain indoors. ”We were not even allowed to move out of our houses,” the people alleged.

Similar restrictions were imposed in some major towns in Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and Baramulla districts. According to the District Magistrate Pulwama, all schools and colleges will remain closed today also as precautionary measure in the district.

Maenwhile,  all train runs remained suspended for security reasons since May 27 afternoon in the Kashmir Valley, where clashes erupted after the killing of two militants, including Sabzar Bhat, Hizbul Mujahideen commander, in an encounter in Tral area of Pulwama district.

We have suspended train service due to security reasons after receiving a directive from the Government, including police, a senior Railway official said.

He said all trains running between Srinagar-Badgam-Sopore and Baramulla in North Kashmir remained suspended since May 27 afternoon.  Similarly train service from Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in South Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region remained suspended.

Since there was apprehension of violence, trains were suspended to avoid damage to railway property besides passengers, he said adding the train services will be resumed after receiving green signal from the authorities, particularly police.

He said in the past railways suffered massive damage to trains, railway stations and lighting system due to violence. (agencies)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here