Curfew clamped on Kashmir again

The hustle bustle in the markets fell silent after curfew was imposed to foil a separatist sponsored march towards Anantnag township in South Kashmir.

The hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had asked people to march towards Anantnag on Monday, where three boys were killed in police firing a few days back. Subsequently, curfew was imposed in most parts of Srinagar, including the old city, Anantnag district and some other parts of Kashmir.

Police and paramilitary forces enforced the curfew restrictions. They laid barbed wire and blocked all important roads and bridges. Reports of demonstrations were received from SK Colony in Anantnag. However, police preferred not to intervene and use force.

Non-curfew bound areas were also effected due to the spontaneous general strike called against the killing of eight youths in police and CRPF firing on protesters in different parts of Kashmir last week.

Shops and other business establishments remained closed. Transport, too, remained off the road. Inspector General of Police Kashmir Farooq Ahmad said: “The situation remained peaceful and under control”.