Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Kashmir valley today to prevent protests in the aftermath of killing of a youth in police firing in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district last evening.
Authorities this morning imposed curfew in Bandipora district and curfew like restrictions in Baramulla district and parts of Srinagar to prevent any protests against the killing of Farhat Ahmad Dar.
Dar was killed in Police firing last evening during protests in Naidkahi area of Bandipora district. Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr Shah Faisal had ordered Magisterial inquiry into the killing of Dar.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar, said that inquiry officer will start recording statements once situation normalizes in Bandipora. “There are two versions of the firing. Police say their bunker was attacked by protesters when they fired. But locals say firing was unprovoked”, he said.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed in the areas of five police stations – Maharaj Gunj, Rainawari, Safakadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta – in old city of Srinagar since morning to restrict the movement of the people and prevent protests against Dar’s killing. Main roads were closed with Iron barricades and concertina wire and mobile bunkers were placed at several places to enforce the curfew like restrictions in the Old city. However, in the afternoon authorities eased out restrictions in some areas.
In the civil lines areas of Srinagar shops remained closed and traffic was off the roads in protest against killing of Dar. However, the private transport and some public transport was plying.
In North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, authorities imposed curfew since morning. However, defying curfew, hundreds of people took to streets and held massive protests at Naidkhai, Papchan, Sumbal, Hajin and Shah Gund area.
In the morning, hundreds of people attended funeral of Farhat Ahmad Dar at Shahgund Sumbal in district Bandipora.
In Baramulla district, authorities imposed curfew like restrictions since morning to prevent any protests. Main roads were barricaded and troops were deployed in strength to prevent any clashes.
Despite restrictions, youth took to streets in old Town Baramulla against the killing. Youth clashed with Police and CRPF at Cement Bridge and they fired tear smoke shells to quell the protests.
Several localities in Sopore area like Ashipeer and Batapora also witnessed clashes between police and protesters. Palhalan and Pattan areas of Baramulla district were also put under curfew like restrictions after clashes broke out in the town last evening against killing of Dar.
A police spokesman said here that situation remained peaceful throughout the Kashmir valley on today. “However, a couple of stray stone pelting incidents were reported from Hajan and Cement-bridge, Baramulla. There were no reports of injury to anyone, till last reports came in”, the spokesman added.
Majority of the separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and senior Hurriyat Conference (G) leaders were put under house arrest today as precautionary measures.
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