Restrictions in SeK, downtown, parts of civil lines Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 13: Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) besides parts of the civil lines in Srinagar on Friday to prevent any violence following call for holding protests by separatists against braid chopping incidents in the Kashmir valley. However, life elsewhere in the valley, including Srinagar uptown, was normal with people busy in their normal work. The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, were closed again this morning and large number of security forces have been deployed to prevent people from entering the worship place. No Friday prayers could be offered last week due restrictions. Police said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC had been imposed as a precautionary measure in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal and Rainawari in the SeK and down. Similar restrictions were also imposed since Friday morning in Kralkhud in the old city and Maisuma, stronghold of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in the civil lines. Both the factions of the HC and JKLF, spearheading the agitation, demanding right to self determination, have appealed to 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. However, the separatists have suspended “ Polo Ground TRC Chalo" on October 14 against braid chopping incidents. All main roads besides bylanes have been closed with barbed wire and large number of security forces and state police personnel have been deployed since early this morning to strictly implement the restrictions. However, the main road from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal shrine, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake via Khanyar and Rainwari was through without any restrictions. UNI