Restrictions in SeK, downtown, parts of civil lines Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 27: 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 strike called by separatists in the Kashmir valley. The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, were closed again on the fourth successive Friday 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 during the last three weeks due restrictions in the 'Masjid'. 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 downtown. 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 have called for strike today as on this day in 1947 Indian troops landed in the Kashmir valley after signing of instrument of accession between Maharaja Hari Singh with the Union Government when Pakistani tribes entered Jammu and Kashmir. However, in Jammu, BJP and other parties celebrated accession day on Thursday in the region, organising functions and rallies. 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 Saturday morning to strictly implement the restrictions in the downtown and SeK. However, the main road from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal shrine, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the banks of Dal Lake via Khanyar and Rainwari was through without any restrictions. Security forces were directing people to remain indoors since curfew has been imposed, residents told UNI over phone from Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Jamia Masjid areas. UNI