Separatists' strike call evokes partial response in Kashmir

The strike call by separatists to protest against the the civilian killings in Pulwama district during a gunfight between militants and security forces on Thursday evoked partial response in Kashmir on Friday.

Though minor clashes were reported in some areas of Srinagar and Pulwama, the day passed off without any major incident. The authorities had deployed contingents of police and para-military CRPF to prevent any demonstration.

Reports said hundreds of policemen donning riot gear were deployed in the sensitive areas of Srinagar and other towns to thwart any possible protest. Authorities disallowed congregational Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid in old city Srinagar in view of call for protests by sepratists.

Reports said all roads leading to the historic mosque were blocked and no one was being allowed to move in the area.

Though the separatists had given a strike call for Friday in their weekly protest calendar issued last week, they asked people to hold protests after the Friday congregation prayers against the death of two civilians during clashes in Awantipora area of Pulwama on Thursday.