Curfew in old city; protests in South, North Kashmir

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 16: Curfew continued in parts of Srinagar for fourth consecutive day today while in the rest of Kashmir valley normalcy returned after the lifting of curfew. However, in North Kashmir’s Kupwara town curfew like restriction were imposed this afternoon following clashes.
Curfew was imposed in Srinagar and major towns of Kashmir valley after the killing of a man in Srinagar’s old city area in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing on Wednesday.
It was lifted in entire Kashmir valley except parts of Srinagar city’s old city area. Major roads in old city were blocked with steel barricades and coils of concertina razor wire to prevent any movement of vehicles and people.
Shops in Civil line area opened after three days and traffic on the roads was thin and schools remained closed as parts of the city were under curfew. The attendance in Government offices was also thin.
In North Kashmir’s Kupwara town, authorities imposed curfew like restrictions after clashes broke out between protesters and security forces.
Clashes erupted in Mir Mohalla, Malik Mohalla Bye pass Road, Darzipora and Regipora in Kupwara town after people protested against the arrest of youth in nocturnal raids.
Groups of youth, raising slogans took to streets in Malik Mohalla after police last night arrested two youth of Malik Mohalla – Iqbal Ahmad Malik and Aijaz Ahmad Malik.
Scores of youth took to streets in the morning and protested against arrests and demanded release of arrested youth. Protestors were intercepted by large contingents of police and CRPF. They fired tear smoke shells and charged batons on the protestors. At least one dozen youth were injured in clashes. Police arrested 8 more protesters during the clashes.
Protests also broke out in Bandipora, Naid Khai, Hajan and Ajas areas against the arrest of youth in nocturnal police raids. Police fired tear smoke shells to disperse the stone throwing protesters.
Protests also broke out in Muran and Rajpora Chowk in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Protesters threw stones and clashed with Police and CRPF. Security forces charged batons and fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Shops and business establishment in Tral town in South Kashmir’s Pulwama town remained closed in protest against the arrest of six youth by police.
In South Kashmir’s Sopian town scores of people came out on the streets against the arrest of a youth, Mohammad Qasim Mengnoo son of Abdul Qayoom Mengnoo of Bonabazar Shopian from his shop at Batpora Shopian.
Scores of people marched in the streets of Shopian against the arrest of youth and demanded his immediate release. The town observed shut down against the arrest of youth.
A police spokesman said here that the situation remained largely peaceful across the Kashmir valley. “However, couple of incidents of stone pelting were reported from Khuraham, in Ganderbal, Ragipora, Bus stand in Kupwara, Nani Nara in Bandipora. Police and security forces exercised maximum restraint while dealing with the law and order situations. No one was hurt”, he added.

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