Thaindian News

Srinagar, Oct 1 (IANS) As separatists Friday called for peaceful protests after the afternoon congregational prayers, authorities imposed curfew across the Kashmir Valley.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who heads the breakaway group of the Hurriyat Conference, has asked people to resume normal life and hold peaceful protests after the Friday prayers in the afternoon.

But authorities imposed curfew in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital and all other major towns, a police officer said.

As the woes of the people continued, several Srinagar residents living in curfew bound localities said those working for essential services, government and banks as well as school children were being permitted to go to their places of work after showing their identity cards.

“It is the policy and the decision of the administration to provide safe passage to all people working for the maintenance of essential services, school children, banks and post offices.

“This has been done to ensure that the people do not suffer because of the designs of the miscreants who plan violence,” a police officer said.

Bank clerk Parvaiz Ahmed, 23, detailed his experience on the street.

“I was not asked to produce any curfew pass as I carried none. I showed them my identity card and was allowed to move on,” said Ahmad, 23, a bank clerk who came out of curfew bound Old City area in Srinagar.

There have, however, also been instances where some security men allegedly refused to allow even those who carried curfew passes.

Said the driver of a senior government official: “They told me to go back even after I showed them my curfew pass. I later phoned my boss who spoke to some senior police officer who intervened to ensure my passage through the curfew bound area.”