Curfew in major towns of Kashmir

Srinagar, July 19:Apprehending law and order problem, authorities on Friday imposed curfew in all major towns of Kashmir to foil plans of separatist groups to stage protests against the Ramban firing incident that left four persons dead.

The decision to impose curfew was taken at a meeting of senior police and civil administration officials here last night after reviewing the law and order situation, official sources said. Curfew has been imposed in all areas of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora districts and Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Bijbehara and Sopore towns, the sources said.

Restrictions under section 144 CrPC, which does not permit assembly of four or more persons, have been imposed in rest of the Valley, they said. The sources said curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problems in view of the separatist calls for protests and march to Lal Chowk.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for a march to Lal Chowk today to protest against the firing incident. Police and paramilitary CRPF have been deployed in large numbers across the city while all roads leading to Lal Chowk have been sealed off.

The law enforcing agencies have erected barricades at many places within the city and other trouble spots of the valley. Although the shops in the interiors of the city had opened in the morning, police asked the shopkeepers to down their shutters as curfew was being implemented strictly.

Mobile Internet services, which were snapped yesterday, remained suspended for the second day today. Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a three-day strike against the Ramban firing incident till Sunday.

Four persons were killed yesterday when security personnel opened fire at a mob that had gathered at a BSF camp in Ramban district to protest against alleged manhandling of an Imam of the area by the force.

PTI