Kashmir News Service
SRINAGAR
Curfew, restrictions and shutdown continue on the 27th consecutive day on Thursday in the Valley, while people at several places offered Zuhr (mid-day) and Asr prayers on roads to mark protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
A top police official said that curfew and restrictions were imposed in Kulgam, Pulwama, Islamabad districts and in parts of Srinagar city to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
Witnesses said that huge contingent of police and CRPF troopers were deployed on roads and streets and had put concertina wires on roads.
Reports of protests were reported from Ashmuqam area of Islamabad district. “Forces dispersed protesters by resorting to tear canisters while some among them sustained minor injuries,” reports said.
A protest rally comprising of at least 500 people were marching towards Damhal Hanji pora from Nandimarg in Kulgam district.
A police official said that the situation across South Kashmir remained peaceful.
The official claimed militants fired on police in DH Pora when they went to the spot to disperse the protesters. “Three bullets hit on BP bunker. Police later used tear canisters to disperse the youth,” the official, wishing anonymity, said.
Banihal and Kishtwar region of Chenab valley today observed complete shutdown to mark a protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
Reports said in Banihal and Kishtwar, all the shops and other business establishments remained closed while the traffic was thin on roads.
Meanwhile, people at various places offered Zuhr and Asr prayers on roads to mark a protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
Witnesses said that the residents of Arqam Mohalla in Fateh Kadal Srinagar, Bandipora, Kralgund and Langate in Kupwara district offered Zuhr prayers on roads while some others offered Asr prayers on roads as well.
Witnesses said that at least one hundred people including young and old offered Zuhr prayers on roads. “Amid chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans, the Namazi staged peaceful protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir,” witnesses said.
They were carrying placards displaying, ‘stop brutal bloodshed in Kashmir, we want freedom and Stop use of pellet guns and pepper gas.’
The protesters mostly youth blocked the Baramulla-Handwara highway with erecting temporary barricades and didn’t allow anyone to ply except essential service vehicles.
Locals said that the government employees tried to attend their duties, however, they were asked by the protesters to close their offices and go back to their homes.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) North Kashmir Range, Uttam Chand said that the situation across north Kashmir remained peaceful.
“No stone pelting incident was reported from any part of north Kashmir,” he said.
Mobile telephony has been partially clamped down in prepaid mobiles, while internet is shut except in BSNL Broadband connections.
Mass civil uprising in Kashmir erupted on July 9 after the killing of popular Hizb commander Burhan Wani in Bemdoora village of Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Islamabad district on July 08, 2016.
