Curfew, strike throws life out of gear in valley

Srinagar: Life across the summer capital remained crippled for the sixteenth consecutive day due to curfew and restrictions coupled with Hurriyat Conference (G) called strike under its ongoing Quit Kashmir campaign. Meanwhile, four people were injured in clashes in sopore and Srinagar.injured in clashes in Sopore town.
Reports and eyewitnesses told Press Bureau of India that life remained affected for the sixteenth consecutive day today due to strict curbs imposed by the government in wake of the shutdown call given by pro-freedom Hurriyat Conference (G) spearheading ‘Quit Kashmir’ campaign across the Valley.
All shops, offices, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices across valley remained closed throughout the day while traffic was off the roads. However, educational institutes remained open with less attendance of students.
In Srinagar, 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. Equipped with riot gear and automatic rifles, troops and Police enforced strict curfew and prevented the people from venturing out of their houses.
Curfew was also stringent in place in Khanyar, Khayam, Rainawari, Fateh Kadal, Naid Kadal and other areas. All the entry points to the old city were sealed by forces with iron barricades and spools of razor wire.
Later in the day, curfew was relaxed in phased manners in all the four zones of the city.
In Sopore town of Baramulla district, three people were wounded when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police used force to quell pro-freedom demonstrations in Seelu this afternoon.
Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that scores of people mainly youth took to streets at Seelu and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations, the people were protesting the recent civilian killings across the Valley. The protesters had also blocked Sopore-Kupwara highway to register their protest.
As the protests were going on, CRPF and police reached the spot and attempted to clear the highway by lobbing teargas canisters to quell the demonstrators. In retaliation, the protesters pelted upon rocks and stones on the forces, triggering off street battles. Forces opened fire from pellet guns on the protesters resulting in injuries to at least three people. A youth identified as Riyaz Ahmad, 26, son of Nazir Ahmad Naikoo suffered pellet injuries in leg. He was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Pro-freedom demonstrations were also held in Magam and Yunsoo areas of the neighboring Handwara town.
Protests were also held in Kulangam area after a youth identified as Ashiq Ahmad, son of Abdul Aziz Lone was arrested by police in a raid.
Protests and clashes were also reported from Malakhnag, Lazibal, K P Road and other areas of the Islamabad district.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that curfew and restrictions were lifted in Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, and Awantipore, areas of South Kashmir, and from Baramulla, Bandipore and Handwara areas of North Kashmir. In Budgam district, the police spokesman said curfew restrictions have also been lifted.
“Curfew restrictions in Kupwara town, Trehgam, Kralpora were relaxed from 9 am to 2pm and later extended up to 4pm. In Kangan and Ganderbal, restrictions were relaxed from 11 am to 1 pm, which were later extended up to 5 pm,” the spokesman said.
In Srinagar, the spokesman said that curfew was relaxed in East, West and South Zones 3:30 pm onwards, while in North and Hazratbal zone it was relaxed from 4:30 onwards.
Police spokesman said that an executive engineer of Jammu and Kashmir Projects constructions Corporation (JKPCC) suffered serious head injuries when miscreants pelted stones on his vehicle (JK01A-8391) near Darish Kadal. The spokesman said that the engineer was on way home when his vehicle was stoned.
“The injured was later shifted by the Police to SMHS Hospital for further treatment. His vehicle also suffered damage,” the spokesman added.