Curfew-like restrictions continue in Kashmir valley

Curfew-like restrictions continued for the third day in parts of Kashmir following killing of four persons in action by security forces during protests since Tuesday even as mobile Internet services remained affected across the valley.

Strict restrictions have been imposed in Kupwara town, Kralgund, Handwara, Magam and Langate areas in north Kashmir to maintain law and order, a police official said.

He said the restrictions were imposed following death of three persons during protests against alleged molestation of a girl by a soldier in Handwara town on Tuesday.

Another youth was killed in Drugmulla area of Kupwara during protests against the Handwara incident a day after, he added.

Restrictions also continued in some police station areas of Srinagar city where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting were reported through the day on Thursday, the official said.

He said the affected police station areas include Maharajgunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Maisuma.

The city centre Lal Chowk has also been kept out of bounds as concertina wires have been put at many places to block the roads, he said, adding security forces have been deployed in strength in other areas to maintain law and order.

Mobile internet services across Kashmir continued to remain suspended for the second day to curb rumour mongering, the official said.

Even though there is no strike call by any separatist group, people observed spontaneous shutdown in most district headquarters of the Valley, the official said.

He said markets remained closed while most of the public transport was off the roads. 

IMAGE: Security forces patrol the tense areas in Kashmir while mobile internet services were curbed to avoid untoward incidents. Photograph: PTI