The Hindu : Front Page : Undeclared curfew in Srinagar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 07, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Undeclared curfew in Srinagar

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: There was an undeclared curfew in Srinagar and other major parts of Kashmir on Thursday to prevent separatists from marching to the Jamia Masjid to commemorate the killing of Muslims in the Jammu region on this day in 1947.

A large number of police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed in the city and other areas from early morning and no civilian movement was allowed.

The restrictions were more stringent in Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Hawal close to the Jamia Masjid area. “We are not allowed to even open a window. There is a large deployment of paramilitary forces and that too without any announcement,” said Mehboob Peerzada, a student from Nowhatta.

Reports from Sopore said some youth took out pro-freedom processions despite the restrictions and engaged the police in pitched battles. Police burst tear gas shells.

The authorities put Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hassan, Bilal Gani Lone and Javed Ahmad Mir under house arrest. Strong police contingents were deployed outside their houses.

Talking to The Hindu over phone, Javed Mir said the Hurriyat Conference was pursuing a peaceful method to achieve the right to self-determination. “But the government is responding with arrests and killings, which goes against the spirit of the much talked about peace process.”

However, police denied that curfew was imposed in Kashmir. “We strictly enforced Section 144 to prevent loss of life and damage to property in the event of an unlawful activity which these people were planning,” said a senior police official.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page