Sensing trouble ahead of a proposed march by separatists, authorities on Friday brought the entire Srinagar district under curfew even as they gave no relaxation in curfew-hit areas of south Kashmir.
With overnight protests in the city and an abortive attempt by activists of a woman separatist outfit to take out a march to Pather Masjid in defiance of curfew yesterday, District Magistrate, Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo announced imposition of curfew in the entire Srinagar district this morning in a television address.
Curfew was imposed in seven police station areas of old city on June 28 following violent protests over the killing of youths in alleged firing by security forces. The step to extend curfew was taken ahead of the separatists' plan to organise a march to Eidgah martyrs' graveyard, police said.
The march call has been given by hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by jailed leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. There was no relaxation in curfew in Sopore, Baramulla, Mattan, Bijbehara, Dooru, Kokernag, Achhabal in Anantnag, Qaimoh in Kulgam and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir.
In Srinagar, additional contingents of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to strictly enforce the curfew.
The Eidgah ground has been sealed by police and paramilitary forces with barbed wires. Armoured vehicles have been placed around it to prevent people from assembling there.
Meanwhile, life remained crippled for the seventh successive day in Kashmir Valley due to the curfew restrictions and strike called by separatists since June 26.
Government offices, educational institutions, banks, semi government offices, shops and business markets remained closed and transport, both public and private, off the roads. PTI
