Shutdown, restrictions paralyse life in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

Army and police stand guard to enforce curfew along Kupwara-Baramulla Highway near Handwara on Thursday.
—Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

SRINAGAR, Apr 14:Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir valley today due to shutdown and curfew like restrictions imposed in parts of Valley in the aftermath of killings at Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Over two dozen people including policemen were injured in protests that continued in parts of Kashmir for second consecutive day today.
Kashmir valley observed shutdown today against the killing of four civilians– Nayeem Qadir, Jehangir Ahmad, Muhammad Iqbal and Jana Begum – in alleged security forces firing in Handwara and Kupwara in North Kashmir. They were killed by security forces while dealing with crowd management after an alleged molestation attempt of a girl in Handwara by a security force jawan. However, the Army and the girl denied the charge.
Kupwara, Handwara, Langate, Drugmulla and adjoining villages were placed under strict curfew like restrictions by security forces including army and police. The roads were barricaded by security forces to prevent protests in these areas. Protests erupted at several villages including Brambri, Shatmulla, Magam and Handwara where protesters pelted clashed with security forces.
In Srinagar, there was a shutdown in response to a call given by separatists against the killings. Shops and business establishments remained closed and public transport was also off the roads but private vehicles were seen plying.
The authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in Old City and Maisuma Police Station area since early morning for the second day today. Hundreds of police and CRPF men were deployed in the areas which were placed under restrictions. The mobile bunkers and concertina wires were erected on various bridges and junctions of the Old City and Maisuma.
At least two dozen people including police men were injured, some of them grievously, across Kashmir in clashes. However, situation today remained peaceful as compared to Wednesday when around 150 people were injured in clashes.
Despite restrictions and tight security, clashes erupted in parts of the city including Natipora, HMT and Zakura. A police spokesman said the deployments “exercised maximum restraint” and “there were no reports of injuries to any civilian”.  He said that some cops were injured in Handwara and “one of them was referred to Srinagar”.
In his appeal, the police spokesman said: “General public is once again requested to please refrain from indulging in lawlessness, remain calm and help the administration in maintaining peace and order.”
The officials suspended the train services between Banihal and Baramulla today as a precautionary measure. The trains were suspended to prevent any loss of property of Railways including trains.
The mobile internet services were affected at most of the places in Kashmir valley especially in North Kashmir. However, broadband services of BSNL were functioning normally.
As tension continued in Valley and separatists have called for protests against Handwara killings, the authorities have decided to continue imposition of curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Kupwara districts tomorrow.
Officials said that the curfew like restrictions will be imposed in Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khanyar, Rainawari, Maisuma, Kral Khud and MR Gunj Police Station areas.
Curfew would be imposed in some parts of Kupwara including Handwara, Langate, Drugmulla, Kulangam and Magam. In some sensitive area of Valley section 144, which prohibits assembly of more than four people, would be imposed.
In the meantime, Director General of Police, K Rajendra visited Handwara and reviewed the law and order situation in the area. He directed the police officers that they should make minimum use of force while dealing with law and order situations.
A police spokesman said here that Director General of Police Rajendra Kumar along with IGP Kashmir SJM Gillani visited Handwara and took stock of the situation there.

The post Shutdown, restrictions paralyse life in Kashmir appeared first on Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K.

from : Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K http://ift.tt/1TUpImF