Curfew-like restrictions imposed in SeK, downtown Srinagar

Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown in Srinagar as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem today, when separatist -- backed by trader groups -- have called for a strike against alleged attempts to abrogate Article 35-A. Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) urged people to observe a strike today against alleged attempts being made to abrogate Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution. The strike was backed by many trader groups, including Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF).

Officials told UNI that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the areas falling under five police stations -- Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal -- in the SeK and downtown Srinagar since early this morning to prevent any violence. However, the situation was entirely different on the ground as people alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses since early this morning. State police personnel and security forces, wearing bulletproof jackets, helmets and holding automatic weapons in their hands, were deployed in these areas to strictly implement the curfew-like restrictions. All gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, who remain under house arrest since last about two months, were also closed and a large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in the area. The entire Nallahmar road from Khanyar to Qamarwari was closed with barbed wires and no one was allowed to move on the road.

Main and link roads were closed with barbed wire and by parking bullet vehicles in the middle. People of these areas alleged that milkmen and vegetable vendors were not allowed to enter from outskirts by the security forces due to which they had to drink black tea. However, the Safa Kadal road to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) through Eidgah was open though only patients and ambulances were being allowed after checking their documents. Similar situation was witnessed at other places in the downtown and SeK, where additional security forces had been deployed since early this morning.