Thaindian News

Srinagar, July 16 (IANS) Curfew was imposed in several towns in the Kashmir Valley and in Srinagar Friday to thwart a proposed march by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.
Curfew was also announced in Ganderbal, Badgam and Sopore, while curfew-like restrictions were in place in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian and Bandipora towns.

Geelani, the head of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, has called for a ‘Batamaloo Chalo’ march after the Friday prayers from various areas of Srinagar to mourn the deaths of people killed in firing by security forces July 6.

He had also called for a two-day shutdown, which ended Thursday, against alleged human rights violations by security forces in Kashmir.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, was also placed under house arrest to prevent his participation in the march.

Contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full body gear were deployed in the old city and uptown areas to disallow all pedestrian and vehicular movement. Traffic intersections have been blocked with coils of concertina wire.

“Curfew is in place in Srinagar to protect civilian life and property. The situation is being closely monitored,” a senior police officer here said.

Fourteen people, including a 25-year-old woman, have been killed in security force firing in Kashmir since June 11.

The state government has announced an independent enquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate deaths of the 14, as well as one youth who was found drowned.