Restrictions lifted in SeK, downtown, parts of civil lines Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 28: Curfew-like restrictions, imposed in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) besides parts of the civil lines in Srinagar on Friday morning to prevent any violence following strike called by separatists in the Kashmir valley, have been lifted. The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, which were closed again on the fourth successive Friday early Friday morning were also opened. Large number of security forces deployed to prevent people from entering the worship place were also withdrawn. However, no Friday prayers could be offered during the last four weeks due restrictions in the Masjid. Police said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC 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 have been lifted. Similar restrictions were also lifted 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 had called for strike on Friday as on this day in 1947 Indian troops landed in the Kashmir valley after signing of instrument of accession between Maharaja Hari Singh with Government of India (GoI) when Pakistani tribes entered the Jammu and Kashmir. However, in Jammu Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties celebrated accession day yesterday in the region, organizing functions and rallies. The Northern Command in a tweet said, “70th #Infantryday, On this day in 1947, 1st SIKH REGT landed in Srinagar to evict Pak intruders from Kashmir & reversed the tide of battle”. Roadblocks and barbed wire on main roads besides bylanes have been lifted and traffic was plying normally in the downtown and SeK. Security forces deployed to strictly implement the restrictions have also been withdrawn. Business and other activities resumed and educational institutions were functioning normally. UNI