Curfew-like restrictions in SeK, downtown, parts of civil lines in Srinagar

Srinagar, Mar 7: Curfew-like restrictions were back on Wednesday in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), downtown and parts of old city and civil lines in Srinagar as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem following general strike and 'Shopian Challo' called by separatists. 

Authorities have also imposed restrictions in Shopian to prevent separatist 'Shopian Challo' call.
Similar restrictions were imposed on Monday, when separatists had called for a general strike against the Shopian firing incident in which two Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants and four others were killed on Sunday evening. However, there were no restrictions in any part of the city yesterday.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik had called for a general strike on Wednesday against shifting of detenues from outside the valley jails. The JRL has also called for 'Shopian Challo' on Wednesday against the Shopian incident where two Lashkher-e-Toiba (LeT) militants and four others were killed on Sunday evening.
The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, were again closed today to foil any demonstration.
Police said Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khanyar and Rainwari in the downtown and SeK. Restrictions have also been imposed in parts of areas under police station Kralkhud in the old city and Maisuma in civil lines.
However, the situation on the ground was entirely different as security forces and state police personnel deployed in the downtown and SeK were directing people to remain indoor. The entire Nallahmar road, which otherwise remained busy, have been closed for any traffic or pedestrian movement. Security forces had closed the road with barbed wire and by parking bullet proof vehicles in the middle at different places, including Bulbal Lanker, Tarabal, Nawa Kadal, Kawdara, Rajouri Kadal, Ali Kadal and Khanyar. People in these areas alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses by the security forces deployed there. The milkmen and vegetable sellers could not come from outskirts due to restrictions, they said, adding that the local bread makers also could not open their shops.
However, the road to S K Institute of Medical Sciences from Safa Kadal and Eidgah was open though medical staff and patients only were being allowed to move.
All roads leading to Jamia Masjid were closed at Rangar stop, Nowhatta and Hawal to prevent people from assembling and organize protests at worship place. All main gates of the Masjid remained closed since this morning. Similar restrictions had been imposed in other areas downtown and SeK.
Large number of security forces and state police personnel were also imposed in old city and civil lines to prevent any demonstration.
Mr Geelani and the Mirwaiz are under house arrest while Malik has been lodged in central jail, Srinagar. UNI