Curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar to prevent separatist march

Authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley on Friday to prevent a separatist called protest march.

Contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were deployed in both uptown and old city areas of Srinagar to impose curfew-like restrictions to prevent a separatist called sit-in and protest march here.

Coils of razor fitted concertina wire were placed on main roads and traffic intersections here by the security forces.

Both pedestrian and vehicular movements were disallowed except in city outskirts where some private vehicles were seen moving in the morning.

Separatists have asked people to march to the state Rajbhavan in the high security Chashma shahi area here as part of their resistance calendar.

Despite all the separatist leaders having being placed under detention since July 9 when the present unrest started in Jammu and Kashmir, separatists have been continuing the protests and shutdowns through weekly calendars mailed to the media.

Authorities have been taking no chance to ensure that Friday prayers pass-off peacefully.

During the last 97 days of ongoing violence, post Friday prayer protests have been taking place across the valley during which precious human lives are lost in clashes between unruly mobs and the security forces.

At least 91 people have been killed and over 12,000 injured in the over three months unrest which started here on July 9, a day after the killing of top militant Burhan Wani in a gunfight with the security forces.

IANS