KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Though the curfew was relaxed by the authorities in most of the areas in Srinagar and other districts in the Valley, a complete shutdown was observed on 51st straight day on Sunday against the civilian killings in Kashmir while the protests and clashes were reported from couple of areas throughout the day.
A top police said that no curfew or restrictions remained in place in most parts of the Valley following the improvement in the situation.
Witnesses said that the forces were not deployed in most parts of the Valley while the youths in several areas had erected temporary barricades and were not allowing commuters to pass through the way.
Reports of clashes and protests and clashes were reported in South Kashmir areas following the arrest of four youths in Islamabad district during the nocturnal raids.
Reports quoting sources said that at least four persons were arrested by J&K Police in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district during the nocturnal raids in the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday.
“The forces came rushing, entering houses and harassing inmates and damaging property,” locals of Ashaji Pora alleged.
Reports said that that the nocturnal raids evoked protests by the locals early Sunday which eventually led to clashes between forces and youth during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the agitating youth in the area.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across South Kashmir while all the shops and business establishments remained closed throughout the day.
Similarly, north Kashmir also observed complete shutdown against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
Reports said that at Jamia Masjid Ajas Bandipora, thousands of people participated in a protest rally that was organized by the people in which the people from adjoining areas took participation.
The pro-freedom and anti-India slogans were chanted during the rally while Hurriyat Conference (g) chairperson, Syed Ali Geelani addressed the gathering via phone during which he condemned the civilian killings in Kashmir and said that the struggle will continue till the goal (freedom) will not be achieved.
Two more pro-freedom rallies were held in Ashmuji area of Kulgam where thousands of people assembled and held protests while another rally was held in Bellow area of Pulwama’s Rajpora assembly segment.
Correspondent reports from Shopian said that another pro-freedom rally was scheduled in Nadigam area of Shopian district but forces raided it early Sunday and the tents which were erected by public were taken down while an electricity producing generator was taken away by them.
Following the raid, protests and clashes erupted.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in central Kashmir districts while the youths in Noorbagh area of Srinagar took to streets amid incessant rainfall and had erected temporary barricades.
Eye-witnesses said, scores of youths in the locality took to streets and blocked the main road in the area and were not allowing anyone to pass through the road.
Meanwhile, reports said that Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhaderwah has called for a shutdown on Monday against the civilian killings in Kashmir and detention of youth at the behest of RSS and BJP in Bhaderwah region of Jammu.
They said that authorities and some communal politicians were hell bent to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of Chenab Valley by falsely implicating and arresting youths under draconian laws.
“We are deeply concerned over the plight of Kashmiri people, who are suffering since last 51 days and both Union and State Governments, instead of giving a heeling touch are rubbing salt into their wounds by giving irresponsible statements and justifying the atrocities of security forces,” reports quoting President of Anjuman-e-Islamia, Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh said.
He said that the people in the region were peacefully protesting despite several attempts of instigation by the communal forces and police but now it seems that administration has started taking us for granted, that’s why, Doda Police, “without any reason” is arresting and implicating Muslim youths which clearly shows that they are “trying to instigate the sentiments of the community”.
Few days back, the district administration slapped PSA on a teenaged student of Dessa.
“Doda Police arrested a social worker Advocate Baber-ul-Islaam by implicating him falsely at the behest of RSS backed politicians. This communal attitude can’t be tolerated and to show our resentment, we have given a shutdown call for tomorrow,” he said.
Notably, at least 71 civilians were killed while thousands of people were maimed during the protests triggered by the killing of Hizb commander and popular militant, Burhan Wani on July 8 in Bemdoora village of South Kashmir’s Islamabad district.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, said that following improvement in situation, curfew was lifted from Islamabad and major areas of Srinagar this morning.
The statement said that three stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Sangam, Ashajipora in Islamabad and Nadigam in Shopian where some trouble-mongers attempted to disturb the situation by pelting stones on police and security force deployments.
“Barring these three incidents of stone pelting, overall situation remained peaceful and under control across the valley till filing of this report,” it said.
The statement said that restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in the valley. “However, curfew was imposed under the areas of three police stations of Srinagar, Pampore and Pulwama towns only. Increased movement of vehicular traffic and people was observed in major areas of the valley including city Srinagar,” it said.
(With inputs Kashmir News Service.)
