Srinagar: Severe restrictions coupled with the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) crippled life across the Valley on Wednesday.
Geelani led Hurriyat Conference in its fifth phase of ‘Quit Kashmir Campaign’ announced last week had asked people to staged peaceful sit-in demonstrations across the Valley on Wednesday and Thursday.
Reports and eyewitnesses told Press Bureau of India that after a day’s normalcy, life in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley remained affected due to the restrictions clamped by the state authorities in view of the Hurriyat’s strike call.
Srinagar markets that were abuzz with shoppers yesterday wore a deserted look today as all shops remained closed. Educational institutes, business establishments, government and private offices, banks, petrol pumps and financial institutes remained closed, while traffic remained off the roads.
Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara, Safa Kadal, Eidgah, Nawab Bazar and other areas of the sensitive old city were sealed by CRPF troops and Police to thwart any attempt by the people to stage sit-in demonstrations called by pro-freedom conglomerate. Since early morning troops and police, equipped with riot gear and sophisticated weapons maintained tight vigil and confined the residents indoors.
Similar restrictions were put in place in Khanyar, Khayam, Rainawari, Fateh Kadal, Naid Kadal and other areas. All the entry points to the old city were sealed by forces with iron barricades and spools of razor wire.
Restrictions were imposed on the civilian movement in twin towns of Sopore and Baramulla in North Kashmir’s.
Despite restrictions, hundreds of people took to streets in Palhalan and Azad Gunj area of the district and staged demonstrations against the human rights violations.
Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that hundreds of people of Palhalan took to streets this morning and staged pro-freedom demonstration. Shouting slogans, the protesters tried to take out a rally to Pattan. However, CRPF troops and police intercepted their procession near the shrine of Baba Teng. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
Meanwhile, violent protests broke out in Rambagh, Natipora, Kansipora and Kralpora area of Srinagar and its outskirts.
Press Bureau of India city correspondent said that scores of men, women and children took to streets in Kralpora area of the city outskirts to protest the arrest of a youth identified as Sajad Ahmad by police during a surprise raid last evening. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters accused police of arrested innocent youth on the false charges of stone pelting. The protesters were demanding immediate release of the youth.
In Rambagh Bala, groups of youth appeared on road and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Besides shouting pro-freedom slogans, the protesters pelted stones and rocks on the troops and police. Forces resorted to cane charge to disperse the stone pelting youth. No reports of any injury were received. (PBI)
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