Srinagar: State authorities on Tuesday clamped strict curfew across the Valley to scuttle the proposed march to Hyderpora, called by a senior leader of Hurriyat Conference (G) against the continued detention of its chairman and veteran pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Meanwhile, at least seven people were injured in fresh clashes.Tough Curfew foils ‘Hyderpora Challo’Srinagar: State authorities on Tuesday clamped strict curfew across the Valley to scuttle the proposed march to Hyderpora, called by a senior leader of Hurriyat Conference (G) against the continued detention of its chairman and veteran pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Meanwhile, at least seven people were injured in fresh clashes.Reports and eyewitnesses told that a strict curfew was enforced in Srinagar and other major towns and districts of the valley to prevent the people from marching to the residence of Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani who is continuously under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence. The call for march was given by General Secretary of the conglomerate, Masrat Alam Bhat, who went underground, shortly after being released in June this year.Hyderpora, the venue of the Hurriyat march, eyewitnesses said was turned into a garrison with the deployment of hundreds of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police personnel. Armed with riot gear and assault rifles, the forces maintained a tight vigil in all the localities of the area to keep protesters at bay. Security was also tightened in and around the residence of the Hurriyat Chairman. All roads leading to the venue were sealed off by troops with barricades and iron gates. At some places, spools of barbed wire were laid to restrict the movement of people.The scenes were no different in other parts of this capital city.In old city, considered be the hotbed of separatism, troops and police confined the residents indoors by enforcing strict curfew.At Nowhatta, Khanyar, Khayam, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Naid Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Rainawari, Kathi Darwaza and other places, CRPF and police had laid spools of concertina wire to prevent the people from marching to Hyderpora.Similar restrictions were put in place in Kawdara, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Safa Kadal, Eidgah, Hawal and other areas of the old city where CRPF troops and police, equipped with riot gear manned, roads, streets, lanes and by lanes to keep a vigil over the movement of the people.Despite curfew and heavy deployment of forces, clashes broke out several parts of Srinagar. Reports said groups of youth this morning took to streets this morning at Galwanpora, Hyderpora, Mochou and tried to march towards the Hyderpora residence of the Hurriyat Chairman. However, the troops and police deployed in advance confronted the protesters leading to clashes. The protesters and the forces exchanged rocks and stones for several houes. However, no reports of injuries were received.Clashes also broke out between protesters and the forces in Molvi Stop locality of Lal Bazar this evening.Reports of protests and clashes were also received from Bandipore and Islamabad districts of the Valley.Reports said scores of people mainly youth took to streets in Saderkote Bala in North Kashmir’s Bandipore district this afternoon and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations when a joint team of CRPF and police appeared in the area, apparently to arrest the youth. To break up the demonstrations, forces burst tear smoke shells and cane charged the protesters. In retaliation, protesters pelted upon rocks and stones on the forces sparking off fierce clashes. At least seven people were injured in the clashes.Protests also erupted in Nasoo area after youth were thrashed allegedly by troops and police.Protesters and the forces were also locked in clashes in Lazibal area of Islamabad district. Forces burst a few teargas canisters after they failed to disperse protesters with cane charge.Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that the situation today remained by and large peaceful even as curfew and restrictions were in place across the Valley.In a handout issued this evening, a police spokesman said that have put in place even as strict curfew restrictions continued in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley.“However, in Barsoo, Manigam, Kurhama and Nunar areas of district Ganderbal, Awantipora, Tral, and Pampore of district Pulwama, and in Vilgam and Magam areas of district Kupwara, other restrictions were been put in place,†the spokesman added.
