JK: Section 144 crPC extended in Kupwara

Srinagar, Feb 11: The night curfew along the five km border belt in the frontier district of Kupwara, imposed a bid to check militant movement, will continue while restrictions imposed under section 144 CrPC in other areas of the district have been extended for two months.

Official sources said the dusk-to-dawn curfew restrictions along the border belt will continue to foil any attempt by militants to sneak into this side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The restrictions, imposed in the border belt since the eruption of militancy in 1990, will help to curb the night movement of militants, the sources added.

However, the district civil and defence authorities have asked the people living along the border belt to use lantern when they go out of their homes during the night in case of any emergency.

This, they said, will help to identify the villagers to avoid any incident.

About a dozen people have lost their lives in the Kashmir valley when security forces opened fire due to mistaken identity when the villagers came out of their houses during the night.

An official spokesman today said that in exercise of powers conferred on the District Magistrate, Kupwara, he has extended section 144 CrPC in the district for two months with immediate effect.

However, the security agencies and essential services have been exempted from the section.

Under the section, gathering of four or more persons in any part of the district is banned. However, religious gatherings, condolence meetings and marriages have also been exempted.

For holding any public or political meeting, prior permission from the local district authorities is must.

UNI