SRINAGAR : Curfew continued to remain in force in parts of the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir here today as a precautionary measure but rest of the Valley observed a shutdown in wake of the killing of a youth when security forces allegedly opened fire on Wednesday.
“Curfew will continue in five police station areas of Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, M R Gunj and Safakadal in the interior Srinagar city,” a spokesman of the district administration here said.
He said though there is no curfew in other areas where it was in force yesterday, but restrictions under section 144 have been imposed and security forces have been deployed in strength in such areas in view of the apprehensions of the law and order problems.
The spokesman said curfew has been clamped as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
A youth, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, was killed on Wednesday when security forces allegedly opened fire to chase away stone-pelting protesters.
The protests erupted in Nawa Kadal area in interior of the city when security forces were being withdrawn after poll duty.
The spokesman said the administration will take a decision on lifting of the curfew in the evening after assessing the situation.
Meanwhile, life in other parts of Kashmir Valley remained out of gear as people observed a spontaneous shutdown to protest against the killing.
Though no separatist group has called for a strike today, shops and business establishments were shut in most of the district headquarters including the uptown areas of the city here, while educational institutions and government offices received thin attendance, officials said.
They said public transport was mostly off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying.
Hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for peaceful protests after the Friday prayers against Bhat’s killing and the “arrest spree” of the “pro-freedom” people.
Geelani has also appealed the preachers to highlight the “atrocities” of the security forces in Kashmir during the Friday sermon. (AGENCIES)
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