KL Report

SRINAGAR

Normal life again remained affected on Saturday in Kashmir valley on the protest call given by the senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

But the authorities have extended curfew in the Shopian district of south Kashmir.

All schools, colleges and most of the business units including petrol pumps remained closed following separatists call for complete shutdown. However, private transport was seen plying on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Meanwhile Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama remained under curfew for the fourth consecutive day. “Tight curfew is in place in Shopian and there is a pin drop silence everywhere. But last night, on Friday evening there was a heavy shelling from the government forces when some people got involved in protest against the forces,” said a local.

He added, “Till yesterday curfew was in place at a few places around town only but today curfew has been extended to some more places.”

The police spokesperson, Manoj Sheeri told Kashmir Life, “Curfew is in place in Shopian town, Kulgam town, Pulwama town and Khudwini (in Kulgam). While as there is some relaxation in the other peripheral areas of these districts in south Kashmir.”

However, the locals in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama say that there is acute shortage of essential commodities, medicines and baby food, in these areas.

They (locals) allege that authorities had announced relaxation in curfew last evening but the situation is different on ground. “They don’t even allow us to move during the relaxation period as well,” said a local.  Irshad Reshi, SHO Shopian told Kashmir Life over phone that Shopian is “normal”.

When asked if any relaxation is given in curfew to purchase essential commodities, he said, “Curfew remains in place from 7 am till 6 pm only. After 6 in evening, people are free to move anywhere.”

Shopian is under curfew from September 11, when a youth, Rafi Ahmad Rather, 28, a sumo driver was allegedly killed by CRPF at Gagren Camp. Pertinently, it was the same camp where four more were killed on September 7, allegedly by CRPF who were labeled as militants.

Later, state police identified three among them as civilians, having no militant links and the fourth ones identity is yet to ascertain.

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