Curfew, restrictions foil Palhalan march

Srinagar: Government on Monday imposed curfew and restrictions in several parts of the Valley to scuttle the march called by Hurriyat Conference (G) to the Palhalan area of Baramulla district. Meanwhile, at least six people were injured in clashes in twin districts of Islamabad and Pulwama of South Kashmir.

In the latest resistance programme of ‘Quit Kashmir’ announced last week, Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani had asked people to march towards Palhalan area of Baramulla district which has been reeling under curfew and restrictions for over one month now. However, to foil the Hurriyat march, state authorities had imposed curfew and restrictions in almost all the major towns and districts of the Valley, including Srinagar.

Palhalan, the venue of Hurriyat march, reports and eyewitnesses said was virtually turned into a fortress with the heavy deployment of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops and police. The roads leading to the village along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway were sealed off with barricades and barbed wire.

At Parimpora and Narbal, troops and police were maintaining strict vigil to thwart any attempt by people to march to Palhalan.

At Pattan, CRPF opened several shots in air when groups of youth tried to march towards Palhalan. The gunshots triggered panic in the area forcing people to stay indoors.

Curfew and restrictions were also imposed in Baramulla, Sopore, Kupwara and Handwara towns of North Kashmir and Pampore town of South Kashmir.

In Srinagar, curfew was clamped in the areas falling under police station Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharaj Gunj, Safakadal, Parimpora, Bemina and Qamarwari Police Division in view of the ‘Palhalan Chalo’ march today.

Hundreds of paramilitary CRPF and police, equipped with riot gear and automatic rifles had laid a siege around the old city to prevent people from venturing out of their houses.

Despite curfew and severe restrictions, scores of people staged pro-freedom demonstrations in Soura, Elahi Bagh, Eidgah, Onta Bhawan, Chattabal, Hyderpora and other areas of the city. Besides raising slogans in favor of Independence, the people, mainly youth pelted upon rocks and stones on the forces sparking off ding-dong clashes.

In South Kashmir’s Islamabad district, at least four people were injured in protests and clashes that broke out this afternoon.

Reports said groups of youth took to streets at Lazibal, Malaknag, K P Road and other areas of the district and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. The CRPF troops and police deployed in the areas swung into action to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, protesters stoned the forces. In the ensuing clashes, at least four people suffered minor injuries.

Two people were injured in the clashes in the neighboring Pulwama district.

Reports said scores of youth this morning took to Samboora area of Pampore and staged pro-freedom demonstrations. Chanting “We want freedom,” “Islam Zindabad,” “Go India Go Back,” and other anti-India slogans, the protesters pelted rocks and stones upon an Army convoy that was on its way to Srinagar.

Eyewitnesses said Army and the personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG) of police fired several shots to disperse the protesters. At least two people suffered injuries in the forces action.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across Shopian, Budgam, Kulgam, Bandipore, and Ganderbal districts even as no curfew or restrictions were put in place.