Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 6: Security in Kashmir valley has been tightened ahead of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s rally in Srinagar after last evening’s grenade attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and separatists call for Million March.
The security in Srinagar was tightened today after last evening’s grenade attack on CRPF camp in which 13 CRPF men were injured.
All roads leading towards the SK Cricket Stadium, the venue of the rally, were closed this morning with concertina wires and no pedestrian or vehicular movement was allowed in the area. The stadium has already been taken over by the SPG.
Security forces checked vehicles at dozens of places in Srinagar city this morning leading to traffic jams. However, in the afternoon the vehicular movement was thin due to heightened security.
In order to prevent separatist Million March towards TRC grounds in Srinagar, Police have arrested over 400 people including over 150 separatist leaders and their activists and stone pelters during last one week.
The curfew-like restrictions would remain in place in Old City and several other sensitive areas of the city tomorrow to maintain peace.
The vehicles in which people will come to attend the rally will be stopped several kilometers away from the Stadium and they would have to travel on foot to reach the venue.
Today restrictions were imposed across the Old City and Maisuma areas of the City here to prevent separatists from holding a rally and protests in historic Jama Masjid here after Friday congregational prayers.
The restrictions were imposed in the areas falling under five police stations of Old City and civil lines that include Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, Rainawari and Maisuma. Hundreds of Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed in strength across these police station areas to foil any protest attempt by separatists.
The security force personnel had laid concertina wires and placed armoured vehicles at multiple junctions and bridges to enforce the restrictions on the movement of people. All the entry and exit points of Old City and Maisuma neighbourhoods were sealed by the security forces.
Separatist leader and chairman of moderate Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had called for a ‘solidarity rally’ and protests after Friday prayers here and had urged all the separatists and people to attend the proposed programme. In view of the call, the police and CRPF strictly imposed the restrictions in Jama Masjid area of Old City and disallowed residents to offer Friday congregation at the Grand Mosque.
Though the situation remained peaceful across the city throughout the day but stone-throwing clashes between security forces and youths erupted in the evening after restrictions were lifted. As the security forces retreated, the youths pelted stones ensuing brief clashes. The police fired teargas canisters and pepper grenades in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators.
In view of the tense situation and curbs, the Kashmir University (KU) had on Thursday postponed the exams scheduled on November 6 and 7. However, the 8th class examinations were conducted as per schedule. The Banihal-Baramulla rail service remained suspended today and it would continue to remain suspended tomorrow due to security reasons.
Meanwhile, protests and clashes broke out in some parts of Baramulla district today. Hundreds of people staged a protest soon after Friday prayers in Main Chowk Baramulla, witnesses said, adding the protesters, however, dispersed peacefully. Stone-pelting clashes broke out in Palhallan village and Sopore Town of the district between youths and security forces but were later chased away.
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