Undeclared curfew halts life in Kashmir Valley

By GK News Network Muslim India

Updated at 1735 hours IST, Srinagar, Nov 7: Policemen and troopers didn’t allow the people to offer Friday congregation prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in old city today.

Residents of Nowhata told Greater Kashmir over phone that paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen were deployed in strength around the grand Masjid and all the roads leading towards the Masjid were sealed. “ Those who tried to proceed towards Masjid were directed by the troopers to return,” the residents said, adding that hundreds of policemen and paramilitary troopers were deployed in every nook and corner of the old city to prevent people from assembling there.

Pertinently, chairman of Hurriyat (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had asked the people to assemble at Jamia Masjid today after authorities foiled Jamia chalo march by clamping undeclared curfew yesterday.

Srinagar, Nov 6: Life in the Kashmir valley came to a grinding halt on Thursday as authorities imposed an undeclared curfew in the Srinagar city to prevent people from assembling at Jamia Masjid in old city here. The Coordination Committee, spearheading the present movement in Kashmir, had asked the people to assemble there today for paying tributes to the Jammu martyrs who were killed by rioters on this day in 1947.

Witnesses told Greater Kashmir that thousands of policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers were deployed in different parts of the city and people were asked to stay indoors. “All the roads leading to Jamia Masjid were sealed and huge barricades were erected at different places,” the witnesses said, adding that the troopers carrying batons and automatic rifles were guarding the streets in Srinagar, strictly enforcing the restrictions though police claimed that no curfew has been imposed in any part of the Valley.

Reports said police and CRPF resorted to lathi charge to disperse a procession at Rainawari in old city, who were trying to march towards Jamia Masjid. The protesters offered stiff resistance and retaliated by pelting stones, triggering clashes. However, reinforcements were rushed to the area and they were dispersed.

Reports said that no vehicles from district headquarters were allowed to move towards the Srinagar city. Authorities had imposed section 144 in all the major districts of the Valley, including Varmul, Kupwara, Islamabad, Budgam, Shopain, Kulgam, Bandipore, Ganderbal and Pulwama. In view of the restrictions imposed by the authorities, all shops, business establishments, schools and other educational institutions remained closed in the city and elsewhere in the Valley.

According to Greater Kashmir reporter Ghulam Muhammad, announcement about imposition of curfew in north Kashmir’s Sopur township was made through loud speakers early in the morning. Residents of Siddiq colony and Arampora tried to defy the curfew and stage pro-freedom demonstration. However, troopers resorted to baton charge and fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse them injuring at least six protesters including two women.

Two attempts to organize rally at Lal Chowk by the Coordination Committee, an alliance of both the factions of the Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Dukhtaran-e-Milat, Kashmir Bar Association, traders and employees, had been foiled by the authorities after they imposed curfew in August and on October 6.

Lakhs of people had joined the Muzafarabad, Eidgah, Pampore and TRC chalo marches during the past three months. Almost all top leadership of the CC has been arrested and majority of them have been booked under the Public Safety Act.
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Photo: Police and CRPF personnel in Srinagar Thursday to prevent a pro-freedom rally there. (Habib Naqash/GK)