Srinagar : Nearly a dozen civilians and security men were injured in clashes during protests across the Kashmir Valley Thursday against a youth’s death in firing, leading to authorities to impose of curfew in entire Srinagar city from midnight and restrictions in other major towns.
A police statement issued this evening said the situation across the valley remained largely peaceful although stone-pelting incidents occurred in Srinagar and other parts.
“Miscreants pelted stones in Batamaloo and Zakoora in Srinagar, Khanpora, Cement Bridge and Palhalan in Baramulla, Narbal crossing in Badgam, Papchan in Bandipora and Cherkoot Lolab in Kupwara district. Police exercised maximum restraint while chasing away the protesters. Nine policemen and two civilians received minor injuries.
“Protesters also torched a vehicle belonging to a private cement factory in Pulwama district,” the statement said.
Senior separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, who arrived here from Delhi was placed under house arrest by the authorities in his uptown Hyderpora residence. A group of protesters also clashed with the security forces outside Geelani’s house after his arrival.
Srinagar’s district magistrate announced Thursday evening that pedestrian and vehicular movement would not be allowed in the state’s summer capital Friday till further orders to maintain law and order.
Restrictions under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code have also been imposed in other major towns including Sopore, Baramulla and Badgam.
An assembly of five or more people is deemed as unlawful under this section and the security forces are authorized to use force to break such unlawful assemblies.
Curfew continued for the second day Thursday in police station areas of Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, M.R. Gunj, Zadibal, Maisuma and Kralkhud areas of Srinagar as well as Trehgam and Sopore towns.
Despite the restrictions, stone-pelting youths engaged security forces in clashes in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town where 24-year-old Tahir Lateef Sofi was killed in firing by security forces Tuesday.
While the state police have lodged a first information report (FIR) against some security personnel believed to be responsible for the youth’s killing, the army has also announced a time-bound probe into the firing incident.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner, Asgar Hassan Samoon meanwhile said that a police station would soon be set up in Baramulla’s old town for better policing of the area.
The old town in Baramulla, seen as a strong bastion of separatist sentiment, has remained a vulnerable area from the law and order point of view and has often seen violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
File Photo : AFP