Curfew-like restrictions lifted from SeK, downtown Srinagar

Srinagar, Mar 21: Curfew-like restrictions imposed in Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown Srinagar following a day-long strike called by separatists against the custodial death of a principal of a local private school were lifted on Thursday.

A police official told TNN that restrictions imposed in any part of Srinagar city on Wednesday have been lifted. "Security forces deployed in strength across the city on Wednesday have also been withdrawn," he added.

Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed on Wednesday in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safa Kadal and Khanyar in the downtown and SeK as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem.

All gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq -- which were locked on Wednesday, are now open for devotees on Thursday. Security forces and state police personnel, who were deployed in the Jamia market and nearby areas to prevent protests, have also been withdrawn.

All roadblocks, including barbed wire, have been removed from the road leading to Jamia Masjid, where traffic was plying normally and shops and business establishments were reopened. Similarly, life was normal after restrictions were lifted in other areas of the SeK and downtown.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) -- comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz and Mohammad Yaseen Malik -- had called for a strike on Wednesday against the custodial death of private school principal Rizwan Asad Pandit. Meanwhile, the government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.