Srinagar under curfew to thwart protests

Jammu and Kashmir authorities have placed Srinagar and other towns under an undeclared curfew to thwart separatists' protests after Friday prayers.

The separatist coordination committee, comprising representatives of both groups of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the Bar Association and local traders, had called for protests in Kashmir today.

Shops and businesses remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads in Srinagar today. Other towns in the Valley were also placed under curfew restrictions.

However, a senior police officer said that there would be no restrictions on Friday prayers in Jamia Mosque and elsewhere in the Valley.

For the last three days, no prayers have been offered in the historic Jamia Mosque in  Nowhatta, because of the curfew-like situation in the city.

The authorities have deployed contingents of paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force and the police in Srinagar to enforce the restrictions.

Baramulla in north Kashmir and Budgam in central Kashmir go to polls on Sunday in the fourth phase of the seven phased assembly elections in the state.