KL Report
Srinagar
Curfew continued in Kashmir Valley for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday and authorities have blocked all roads leading to the hometown of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru to foil any attempts by people to assemble there on the fourth day ceremony of the deceased.
“Curfew is in place in the Valley for the fourth straight day. The night passed off peacefully,” a police official said.
He said there were no reports of any fresh incident of violence or violation of curfew this morning.
The authorities have blocked all roads leading to Sopore town, the hometown of Guru, as some separatist outfits had called for a march to mark the fourth day of his death.
Three people have died so far during protests in the Valley after news of December 2001 Indian parliament attack convict hanging spread.
Strict orders have been given to exercise maximum restraint while handling the law and order situation in the valley, the chief minister said on Monday.
Reports indicate that 14 companies of border security force (BSF) and 10 additional companies of central reserve police force (CRPF) have reached Kashmir to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order.
For the third day Tuesday Kashmir went without any print editions of the local newspapers.According to local editors they have been unofficially told by the authorities to suspend publications of their newspapers till Friday.
Cable television operations and Internet facilities also remained shut in the valley, although BSNL broadband users enjoy their facility.
Those using dongle appliances and mobile phones to access the Internet have been unable to do so for the last four days.
A senior police officer said curfew imposed Saturday would remain in place till further orders.
Asked whether the authorities were planning some relaxation in the imposed curfew, the officer said the situation was being monitored on a regular basis.
Hurriyat(G) group headed by Syed Ali Geelani has asked people to continue the protest shutdown till Friday when a march to the Eidgah has been announced.
“We will demand that the mortal remains of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat be returned to their families,” a spokesman of the group told media here.
Hurriyat (M) leader and DFP president, Shabir Shah has supported the call of Syed Ali Geelani.
