Protests continue, curfew imposed in Kashmir again

An indefinite curfew was imposed in Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir on Friday to foil a march called by separatists.

Jeeps fitted with loud speakers patrolled Srinagar on Thursday night, announcing the imposition of curfew and urging the locals to stay indoors.

Protests had erupted again in Srinagar on Thursday, after the curfew restrictions were lifted, and clashes broke out between security personnel and the protestors.

The protest sit-ins continued till late in the night during which people offered prayers on the roads and also cooked their meals on the roadside.

The authorities had completely lifted restrictions on Thursday morning and withdrawn security forces from various localities.

But the separatists called on the people to march to Batmallo locality where two people were killed during firing by security forces on July 6. Protests had erupted in the area after the locals alleged that a teenager had been forcibly drowned during clashes.

All roads leading to Batmallo have been sealed and the curfew is being strictly enforced throughout Srinagar by the police and the Central Reserve Police Force.

Curfew has also been imposed in the towns of Ganderbal, Sopore and Kupwara in north Kashmir while curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in other towns. Security forces are patrolling these towns to enforce the curfew and restrictions.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took stock of the situation in the valley at a high-level meeting in Srinagar on Thursday evening.

Omar has appealed to the people to extend their full cooperation to the government in restoring complete normalcy in the valley as the common man including traders, transporters, hoteliers, shikarawalas, patients and students are suffering badly due to the strike calls by various organisations.