Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 18: Curfew, restrictions and shutdown continued for the 72nd consecutive day today in Kashmir while the clashes and protests were reported from several areas throughout the day.
The mobile phones and internet services remained suspended in the Valley. However, only BSNL Broadband and post-paid services are operating.
Curfew and restrictions remained in force in several Srinagar areas and in various towns as well. The decision to impose restrictions was taken to foil the protest march to the three districts Bandipora in North Kashmir, Ganderbal in Central Kashmir and Shopian in South Kashmir called by the separatist leaders.
All the entry and exit points of these districts were sealed by the authorities while a large contingent of security force were patrolling throughout the day.
Clashes and protests were reported from several South, North and Central Kashmir areas during the day.
Police and para-military forces were heavily deployed in curfew bound areas of Srinagar and other towns. They had blocked the roads with concertina wires, mobile bunkers to prevent movement of people and vehicles. In other sensitive parts of Kashmir security forces were heavily deployed to prevent any clashes.
The shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps remained closed and traffic was off the roads and train services between Banihal and Baramulla also remained suspended for 72nd day today. However, there was some movement of private cars in Civil Lines area of Srinagar city.
Over a dozen of people were injured after security forces allegedly foiled a protest rally in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.
Security forces used teargas to foil the protest rally at Manzgam Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam, triggering clashes. Security used fired tear gas to disperse stone pelting protesters.
Clashes were reported from Batamaloo, Habba Kadal, interiors of Khanyar and other areas of Srinagar.
Hundreds of people defied restrictions and marched towards Eidgah in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district today. Residents of Aloosa, Onagam, Panzigam, Watapora, Kaloosa, Nowpora, Plan, Papchan and other adjoining localities assembled at Gulshan Chowk and started marching towards the Eidgah.
Authorities sealed all entry and exit points leading towards Bandipora district to thwart separatist march.
A statement issued by Police said that apart from few stone pelting incidents in Kulgam, Kupwara and Awantipora, overall situation remained under control across the Valley till filing of this report. “There was increased vehicular movement on city roads as well as between various districts and towns,” the statement read.
The official said that restriction under Section 144 CrPC remained in force in the Valley. “However, curfew was imposed under the areas of some police stations in Srinagar city and in Shopian town only”, he said.
The statement said that continuing its drive against the trouble mongers involved in damaging civilian vehicles, shops/houses and placing obstructions on roads/lanes, police arrested 56 miscreants during the last 24 hours.
“Minor stone pelting incidents were reported from Sadoora in Kulgam, Padgampora in Awantipora and Panzgam in Kupwara. At these places miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security force deployments. They were dispersed by using mild force,” the statement read.
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