The return to the streets by the people and the consequent fatal retribution by the security forces is an obvious sign that appeals by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and chief minister Omar Abdullah to end the cycle of popular rage, has come to nought with the latest round of violence.
Abdullah postponed a meeting of the Unified Headquarters (UHQ) that was scheduled at 6 pm on Friday. The authorities clamped curfew in Pattan, Baramulla, Handwara and Kupwara towns but relaxed restrictions in downtown Srinagar to enable people to offer prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid coinciding with the first Friday of the Ramzan.
The UHQ is headed by the chief minister and comprises senior police, Army and intelligence officers. An official spokesman said the meeting was cancelled because the senior officers were engaged in law and order duties.
“The meeting would be held on Saturday,” the spokesman said amid reports that Abdullah was unhappy over his directions not being implemented on the ground.
Following the fresh killings, the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference has asked the people to observe strike on Saturday.
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