Undeclared curfew cripples life in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 30: Life remained crippled on Sunday, Nov 30 in the summer capital, Srinagar, and almost all other major towns and tehsil headquarters due to undeclared curfew imposed by the authorities to prevent people from marching towards Kupwara where polling was being held in five assembly segments.

However, patients and those going to attend the condolence meetings were being allowed.

Similar restrictions were imposed in the Valley during the first two phases of polling.

The Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present anti- poll agitation in Kashmir, had appealed to people to march towards Kupwara today.

All roads in the city and its outskirts were sealed and nobody was allowed to move out of their houses.

A UNI correspondent who visited several areas in the city saw Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police personnel deployed after every few meters, guarding the deserted streets.

One portion of the Rambagh bridge on Srinagar-Airport road has been closed and vehicles, having valid passes, were being allowed from only one side after proper checking.

''We have instructions not to allow any unauthorised person to move towards city,'' said a security force officer.

However, others, who had somehow managed to reach there on foot or in vehicles, were turned back.

''We have strict instruction not to allow anybody to move out of their houses,'' a CRPF jawan said.

Similar reports were received from other parts of the city where people alleged that security forces did not allow them to purchase milk and bread.

Shops and business establishments in the city and outskirts, particularly Sunday market where a sale of crores of rupees is done, remained closed due to restriction.

Because of restriction, only security force vehicles were plying on the otherwise deserted streets.

Reports received from different parts of the valley said undeclared curfew had paralysed life with all activities coming to halt and traffic being off the roads.

UNI