Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 24:Authorities today imposed curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar city on the occasion of 10th Muharram to prevent any violence while normalcy returned to Anantnag district after six days of unrest.
Authorities imposed restrictions in seven Police Station areas including Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Lal Bazar, Khanyar, Safakadal and Maisuma.
Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed across these Police Station areas. The main road, lanes and bylanes were barricaded with concertina wires to stop movement of traffic and civilians.
The curbs were imposed to stop the Shia mourners from taking out Muharram procession from Abi Guzar to Zadibal through Lal Chowk, Maisuma and old City routes. The ban has been imposed 25 years ago after militancy broke out in Kashmir.
However, a group of mourners broke restrictions and appeared on Residency Road to take out Muharram procession. Police swung into action and boarded them in Police vehicles and detained them in Police Station, Kothi Bagh. However, they were let off later.
Parts of Srinagar are under curfew like restrictions for last three days. The restrictions were imposed to foil Muharram procession while yesterday; they were imposed to foil protests against the killing of trucker conductor, Zahid Rasool.
Though the day passed off peacefully in city but there was stone-pelting at Hawal area of Old City. Clashes between police and protesters were also reported from various parts of Old City and Maisuma area soon after the restrictions were lifted in the evening. Police fired teargas and pepper gas to disperse the protesters.
There was shutdown in other parts of Srinagar city with shops closed and traffic off the roads. People preferred to stay indoors in the areas where there were no restrictions.
On 10th Muharram, large processions were carried out by Shia mourners across the Valley. The largest gathering was witnessed in Zadibal area of the city here that was attended by thousands of mourners under tight security.
In the meantime, normal life returned today in Anantnag district after six days of protests and shutdown. The authorities today lifted the restrictions from the parts of the district and people started their routine activities. Shops and commercial establishments were open in the district and traffic was also plying normally.
However, there was shutdown and protests in Achabal area of the district against the thrashing of locals including women by CRPF.
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