Curfew-like situation in Kashmir on R-Day

Srinagar, Jan 26: A curfew-like situation prevailed in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley today in response to a general strike call given by several militant and separatist groups on the 58th Republic Day.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir was virtually turned into a fortress and along with other major towns and district headquarters wore a deserted look while normal life was completely paralysed due to the shutdown.

A massive security blanket had been thrown in the entire Kashmir valley, particularly the Srinagar city, to ensure smooth and peaceful Republic Day celebrations.

Only security personnel could be seen in the city as few private vehicles plied on the deserted roads.

Sharpshooters had taken positions all around the Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the Republic Day function here.

Barricades had been erected around the stadium and nearby areas extensively searched to foil any attempt by militants to create large-scale disturbances in the Kashmir valley.

Snipers with electronic surveillance gadgets had been positioned on rooftops of buildings to maintain a strict vigil over the area around the Bakshi stadium.

Militants, in the past, had fired rocket-propelled grenades toward the stadium from nearby high-rise buildings.

The Muzaffarabad-based United Jehad Council, an amalgam of several militant outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hizbul Mujahideen, both groups of the Hurriyat Conference, rival factions of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and other separatist groups have called for a general strike on the Republic Day.

The Save Kashmir Movement, a militant outfit, had asked the people and students to stay away from the Republic Day celebrations.

Militants had stepped up violence across Kashmir in the run up to the Republic Day.

Troops across Kashmir had been put on maximum alert to thwart any attempt by militants to carry out terror attacks in the Valley on the Republic Day.

CRPF spokesman Prabhakar Tripathi said as many as ten companies of the force had been released for enhancing security in both Jammu and Srinagar for the Republic Day. Out of these, eight companies were deployed in Srinagar and two in Jammu, he added.

Meanwhile, a large number of people had headed for tourist places such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam to avoid stringent security measures.

UNI