Undeclared curfew, strike cripples life across Valley

Srinagar: Life across this summer capital on Wednesday came to a grinding halt due to Govt imposed curbs coupled with a shutdown, called by pro-freedom groups on the R-day.

Reports reaching a said that undeclared curfew was clamped in Srinagar this morning to prevent any untoward incident in wake of the flag marches to the historic Ganta Ghar, called by right-wing Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and countered by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) led by Mohammad Yasin Malik amid a call for shutdown given by various pro-freedom parties, People’s Political Party, Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War including Hurriyat Conference factions.

All shops, private offices, banks and financial institutions, petrol pumps, business establishments remained closed throughout the day due to restrictions and the strike. Public and private transport was also off on all the major roads and highways across the Valley.

In Srinagar, the capital city, thousands of paramilitary CRPF troops and policemen armed with sophisticated weapons and riot gear guarded the deserted streets, lanes and by lanes to foil any attempt of the people to stage pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations.

Uptown Maisuma and the old city, considered to be the hotbeds of separatism were placed under siege to prevent people from participating in the flag rally to Lal Chowk, called by JKLF. Thousands of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers and policemen manned lanes, by lanes, streets, roads and highways in this capital city to prevent any untoward incident on the R-day.

Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of R-day celebrations was turned into a fortress with heavy presence of CRPF troops and police. Dozens of barricades were laid along the routes leading to the venue which was secured by sharp shooters, bomb disposal squads. The movement around the Stadium was consistently monitored through CCTVs.

Ganta Ghar, the venue of the twin flag marches called by BJP and JKLF was also cordoned off early morning by CRPF troopers and police. No one was allowed to pass through the Ganta Ghar that gave sleepless nights to the government, particularly the law enforcing agencies.