Srinagar, Jul 21 (KNS): The district administration on Friday imposed curfew like restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations while a complete shutdown was observed in rest of the Valley against the civilian killings and curbs in Kashmir.
Officials said that the restrictions under section 144 were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Maharaj Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Ram Munshi Bagh.
The decision according to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone was taken as precautionary measure.
Witnesses said that all the roads leading towards UN office in Sonwar were sealed by the authorities.
They said that a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads in Srinagar who had erected barbaric wires to thwart the vehicular and pedestrian movement.
“Nobody was being allowed to move towards the UN office here,” witnesses said.
Meanwhile, the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City continued to remain closed for the fifth consecutive Friday today.
The authorities barred people from offering congregational Friday prayers in the Jamia Masjid.
The Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid area being disallowed since Jumma-tul-Vida (last Friday of Ramadhan).
“A large contingent of force was deployed in the area since the wee hours of this morning who disallowed us to offer Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid. We were forced to offer the congregational prayers at small Masjid’s,” the residents said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik was detained at Buchwara Dalgate after he tried to march towards the UN office in Sonwar.
Raising pro-freedom slogans, Malik alongwith his scores of activist tried to march towards UN office here from Dalgate.
However, police swung into action and detained Malik.
Meanwhile, all the shops and other business establishments across the Valley remained closed while the vehicular movement was also thin on the roads throughout the day.
In Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, protesters clashed with the forces after Friday prayers.
Forces according to the reports resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the youth who tried to march towards the main Chowk from Markazi Jamia Masjid, triggering clashes.
Pertinently, Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for a complete shutdown and UN march today against the civilian killings and curbs on leadership in Kashmir.
The JRL including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had decided to offer congregational Friday prayers at Said Shahab shrine in Sonwar. They had also planned to stage sit-in outside the UN office here.
The sit-in according to JRL was called to urge the UN to ask Government of India to stop the massacre of people in Kashmir and a reminder for it to fulfil its commitments made to the people of J&K.
Meanwhile, a police official said that the situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the day. (KNS)