KL Report
Srinagar
The authorities have imposed undeclared curfew in Srinagar, Friday, in view of the Muharram processions and anti Israel protests. Anti Israel protest call after Friday prayers was given by Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani.
Authorities have imposed restrictions in the areas falling under four police stations, Kothibagh, Maisuma, Shaheed Gunj and Kralkhud, of Srinagar and have deployed hundreds of police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel brandishing guns and bamboo sticks, in major and small lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar. The armored vehicles have been parked at major junctions while concertina wires have been laid on the roads and city entry points to stop the movement of people.
Police sources said that restrictions are to maintain the law and order but the locals call it an “Undeclared curfew”. The civil lines as well as the whole old city areas are under complete siege. But the police spokesperson confirmed the restrictions on upper areas of Srinagar and said there are no restrictions in the downtown area of Srinagar.
Meanwhile, the authorities placed, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other Hurriyat leaders including, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmed Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan under house arrest to prevent them from addressing public meetings while as restrictions on Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani are continuing.
Geelani had on Tuesday asked people to stage symbolic protest demonstrations after Friday prayers against the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Successive governments in the state have been disallowing traditional processions on the eighth and tenth of Muharram since the armed insurgency broke out in the late ‘80s.
