Thaindian News

Srinagar, Aug 10 (IANS) Life across Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar was paralysed Tuesday as authorities imposed curfew in the old city while a separatist called shutdown marred activities in the other areas.
“Curfew continues in old city areas of Srinagar and uptown Maisuma and Batmaloo localities while restrictions have been eased in uptown areas.

“These preventive measures are in place to protect civilian life and property from the designs of anti-social elements,” a senior police official said here.

The hardline Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani has called for a protest shutdown across the valley Tuesday to highlight alleged human rights violations by the security forces.

Stone pelting youth targeted private vehicles at Nishat and old Barzalla in Srinagar forcing the vehicles to keep off the roads.

A large procession of protesters has gathered in central Kashmir’s Nowgam, south Kashmir’s Koimoh and north Kashmir’s Bandipora towns.

“We are closely monitoring the situation across the valley to prevent any largescale violence here,” said another police official.

Restrictions have also been imposed in some south and north Kashmir towns to maintain law and order.

So far, 50 civilians have been killed in security forces firing during clashes in the valley since June 11.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also chaired a cabinet meeting in which it was decided that all state ministers would donate one week’s salary for the relief of the victims in the Leh disaster and the families of those killed in violence in the valley.

The cabinet also appealed to around half a million government employees of the state to donate a day’s salary towards the cause.