Curfew in J&K, yatra suspended

Authorities on Friday enforced a strict curfew in Kashmir and parts of Jammu division to prevent protests against the killing of civilians in BSF firing in Gool village of Ramban district on Thursday.

In view of the protests on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Amarnath yatra from Jammu was suspended.

However, despite restrictions, security forces and protesters clashed in several parts of the Valley throughout the day. Two protesters were injured in the clash in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal.

Religious groups and separatists had called for protests across the Valley after Friday prayers against the Gool killings, prompting authorities to impose indefinite curfew on Thursday night in Srinagar and other major towns.

 Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF had been deployed throughout the City to thwart any attempt at protests.

The forces had laid razor wire and barricades at roads and junctions to stop movement of people.

Armoured vehicles were also seen at junctions and joint parties of police and CRPF personnel were seen patrolling the streets.

However, reports said angry youth pelted stones at police and CRPF personnel at several places in old Srinagar city which was met with tear gas shelling and baton charge by the forces. Similar reports were received from Khurhama village in Ganderbal where two protesters were injured when tear smoke shells hit them.

Kashmir’s Inspector General of Police said two persons were injured in Ganderbal during protests. However, he said situation across the Valley remained by and large peaceful.

Besides Srinagar, the curfew remained in north Kashmir towns of Baramulla, Sopore, Pattan, Kupwara and Bandipora, south Kashmir towns of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Bijbehara, and Pulwama and central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal.

No fresh batch of pilgrims was allowed to proceed towards Amarnath. “No fresh batch has been allowed to move to Kashmir valley from Jammu on Friday as a precautionary measure. It (Amarnath Yatra) has been suspended,” a police officer said.

However, the pilgrims were allowed to proceed towards the holy cave from base camps of Baltal (Sonamarg) in the north and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in the south. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shalinder Kumar said that the yatra had to be suspended from Jammu due to the blockade of Srinagar-Jammu national highway at several places.  “We will hold a meeting in the evening and decide whether to allow the yatra tomorrow or not,” he said, adding that the decision on curfew will also be taken at the meeting.

Meanwhile, reports said protests rocked several areas of Jammu division against the killing of protesters in Ramban where curfew remained in force. A shutdown was called by several Muslim organisations in Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Kishtwar, Gool, Doda, and Sangaldan to protest against the killings.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Rajesh Kumar said the situation was under control. “But there have been protests in some areas. Adequate security has been deployed in the region to ensure peace and normalcy,” he added. Meanwhile, authorities on Friday restored internet services on mobile phones and dongle appliances, which they had suspended following the Ramban killings. They had also reduced speed of broadband connections to prevent miscreants from taking to social networking sites to spread rumours.