Restrictions lifted in SeK, downtown Srinagar

Srinagar, Mar 13 : Curfew-like restrictions, imposed on Monday in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), downtown and parts of old city and civil lines in Srinagar as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem following killing of three militants in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir district of Anantnag in the wee hours yesterday, were lifted on Tuesday.

The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, which were closed to foil any demonstration, opened on Tuesday.

Police said Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed on Monday in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khanyar and Rainwari in the downtown and SeK.

Restrictions have also been imposed in parts of areas under police station of Maisuma in civil lines besides some parts of Soura area in the city outskirts. However, there are no restriction in any part of the city today, police said.

The main Nallahmar road was open and vehicles were plying normally as security forces had removed all nakas and barbed wire. Similarly, road blocks put up at different places have also been removed. The milkmen and vegetable sellers from outskirts were doing normal business today after they were not allowed to enter yesterday. Shops and business establishments reopened and educational institutions were functioning normally today.

Business and other activities also resumed in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, where spontaneous strike was observed yesterday against the militant killings in Anantnag.

However, security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in the city to maintain law and order and prevent any protests.