Curfew in entire Valley on Eid, choppers and drones to keep vigil

Srinagar, Sep 12: For the first time in many years, all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley will be under curfew on Eid tomorrow to prevent any outbreak of violence.

The Army, which has been asked to be on standby, will step in if there is fresh outbreak of violence in the Valley, which has been witnessing widespread unrest for over two months leading to death of over 75 people so far, official sources said.

Army troops have already been stationed at vantage points in rural areas which have a history of violent protests, they said, adding curfew will be in force from midnight tonight.

The decision to impose restrictions on assembly of large number of people has been taken in view of the call by separatists for a march to the local offices of the United Nations tomorrow, official sources said.

This is probably for the first time that curfew will be in place on the day of Eid festival ever since militancy broke out in the state in 1990. Helicopters and drones will keep a bird's eye vigil from the skies and give early warning to security forces in case of assembly of people in certain areas, the sources said.

They said security forces will be out on the streets in adequate strength following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who often use women and children as "shields" during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties.

This is for the first time in 26 years since the onset of militancy that no Eid congregations will be held at the Idgah and Hazratbal shrines here. The sources said that people will, however, be allowed to offer Eid prayers in local mosques.

The government has already ordered shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state.

The decision to completely ban Internet services was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the state on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha festival tomorrow, the sources said.

They said Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone and Reliance telecom have been ordered to shut down their services with immediate effect for 72 hours. The BSNL too has been asked to stop its broadband services for Internet. However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said.

Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley.

It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet. Opposition National Conference slammed the government for its decision to impose curfew, saying it vindicated the party's claim that the Mehbooba Mufti government had no control over the situation.

"The PDP always loves to compare the situation with 2010 agitation but never ever has there been a curfew on auspicious occasion like Eid before," the National Conference spokesman said.

PTI