Curfew-like restrictions in SeK, downtown, civil lines

Srinagar, Jul 21 :  Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and areas falling under three police stations in the old city and civil lines since early this morning as a precautionary measure. Officials said that restrictions were imposed to maintain law and order and in the interest of people and property following a general strike called by separatists, who have also appealed to people to march from their respective areas towards United National Military Observers (UNMO) office at Sonawar for organising a sit-in after Friday prayers today. They said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, M R Gunj and Safa Kadal in the downtown and SeK, Kralkhud in the old city and Maisuma and Ram Munshibagh in the civil lines to maintain law and order. All gates to historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, have been closed and a large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed to prevent people from entering there. The Mirwaiz remained under house arrest for the past more than a month. The main Nallahmar road from Khanyar to Qumarwari had been closed several places, including Rajouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Sekidafar and Bohri Kadal, with barbed wire to prevent any movement. However, the road through Eidgah leading to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) was open for vehicles though only patients and ambulances were being allowed after properly checking their documents. People living on both sides of the busy road alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses by the security forces deployed after every ten feet. Repeated announcements were being made directing people to remain inside their houses. Milkmen and vegetable vendors from outskirts were also being prevented to enter the restricted areas. Bread-makers also could not open their shops due to restrictions, they said. A group of journalists were stopped at Rangar stop by security forces, who had established naka and closed the road, leading to Jamia Masjid, with barbed wire. “We have directions not to allow anybody from this point, please take any alternative route,” they told journalists.UNI