Curfew, restrictions continue in several parts of Valley

Srinagar: At least twelve people on Tuesday were injured in violent clashes, as curfew and restrictions were clamped in several parts of the Valley fearing protests against the arrest of firebrand Hurriyat Conference (G) leader, Masrat Alam Bhat by police yesterday.

Reports and officials told kmw India that that the state authorities clamped curfew and restrictions in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara districts fearing pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations in the backdrop of Alam’s arrest.

CRPF and police, deployed in huge numbers in this summer capital enforced tight curfew fearing protests. Armed with assault rifles and riot gear, the forces manned lanes, by lanes, roads and highways to restrict the movement of the civilians. At many places, iron barricades and spools of barbed wire were laid to prevent people from coming out of their houses and staging pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.

In Srinagar, harsh curfew was enforced by thousands of CRPF men and policemen. The volatile areas of the old city, particularly Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara, Safa Kadal, Eidgah, and Nawab Bazar were sealed by CRPF troops and Police since early morning fearing pro-freedom demonstrations.

Curfew was also strictly enforced in Khanyar, Khayam, Rainawari, Fateh Kadal, Naid Kadal and other areas.

In Kupwara town, curfew was relaxed from 10 onwards, while in Handwara it was relaxed from 10 to 1400 hours.

Curfew was also relaxed in Srinagar’s East, West, South and Hazratbal Zones of the Srinagar City this afternoon.

However, protests and clashes broke out in Baramulla and Shopian districts of the Valley this afternoon resulting in injuries to at least a dozen people.

Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that scores of people of old town this afternoon took to streets and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting “We want freedom,” “Islam Zindabad,” “Go India Go Back,” and pro-Geelani and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to march to the civil line areas. However, when the protesters reached near Azad Gunj bridge, CRPF and police deployed in advance resorted to cane charge to quell the marchers. In retaliation, the protesters stoned the forces triggering off fierce clashes that soon spread to other areas of the town. Later, forces fired pellets to disperse the protesters. At least ten people, one among them were seriously injured in the clashes. The injured identified as Mohammad Yusuf Chana, son of Mohammad Ismail Chana of Arampora was rushed to Srinagar hospital for treatment.

At least two people were injured in protests and clashes in Shopian district of South Kashmir.

Reports said groups of youth this afternoon assembled near DC office and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Besides chanting pro-Independence slogans, the protesters, mainly youth pelted upon rocks and stones on the forces. Forces, eyewitnesses said burst several teargas canisters to disperse the protesters. At least two people were injured in the clashes that continued till late evening.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in almost all the ten districts of the Valley in response to the call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) in its latest resistance programme issued last week.

All shops, offices, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices across valley remained closed, while traffic remained off the roads due to government curbs coupled with Hurriyat called strike. However, schools remained opened with very thin attendance of students.

“Situation remained by and large remained normal and under control throughout Kashmir Valley. However, later today some miscreants defied curfew restrictions at Cement Bridge Baramulla and attempted to disrupt peace, by resorting to heavy stone pelting,” a police spokesman said.

“In an effort to bring the situation back under control, one miscreant was injured. He was shifted to Srinagar, where his condition was said to be stable when the last reports came in,” the spokesman added.