Restrictions lifted, life returns to normal in SeK, downtown

Srinagar, Oct 7: Life returned to normal in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown Srinagar, where authorities had imposed curfew-like restrictions early Friday morning to prevent any violence following call for holding protests by separatists against braid chopping incidents in the Kashmir valley. The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, where no Friday prayers could be offered due to restrictions, are open though large number of security forces remained deployed to prevent any violence. As per police, there are no restrictions in any part of the city today. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC had been imposed as a precautionary measure in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations in the SeK and downtown. Both the factions of the HC and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation, demanding right to self determination, had appealed people to hold protests after Friday prayers in their respective areas against braid chopping incidents in the valley, where over three dozen such incidents were reported for the past one month. Shops and business establishments reopened and traffic was also plying on all routes as security forces had removed barbed wire from the roads. Government offices, banks and educational institutions, which were closed yesterday in restricted areas are functioning normally today. The separatists have also called “ Polo Ground challo' on October 14 against braid chopping incidents. UNI