Srinagar: Curfew has been imposed in major areas of downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) while restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC were being strictly implemented elsewhere in Srinagar in view of the martyrs day today.
Official sources said the measures were taken to prevent any law and order problems as there was apprehension of breach of peace following “Eigah and Matryrs graveyard challo,” call given by the separatist organisations.
Police vehicles were making repeated announcements in the downtown and SeK that curfew has been imposed since 0530 hrs. They were asking the people to remain indoor indoors and not to violate the curfew restrictions.
The main Nallahmar road from Qamarwari to Khanyar was closed with barbed wire.
The entire area around Mazar-e-Shoudha at Naqashband, where leaders of mainstream parties were scheduled to offer “fateha” and floral tributes to martyrs of 1931, has been cordoned off since early this morning.
All roads to martyrs graveyard were closed.
Elsewhere in Srinagar, restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC were being strictly implemented.
A CRPF officer at Natipora in the uptown said they have orders not to allow anybody from here. Similar situation was also witnessed at Rambagh on the Srinagar airport road, where only government and security force vehicles were being allowed to move towards civil lines.
However, there was no restriction on pedestrian movement.
The Martyrs day is being observed to pay tributes to 22 people who were killed by police during a protest against autocratic rulers in 1931.
The government has already announced a holiday today while summer vacations in educational institutions upto 12th standard was extended till July 14. These institutions were scheduled to reopen on July 11.
The Hurriyat Conference had called for a strike and urged the people to join march towards the Martyrs graveyard.