Curfew-like restrictions in SeK, downtown Srinagar

Srinagar, Dec 22: Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown Srinagar since Friday morning to maintain law and order in the Kashmir valley, where separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers against civilian killings and continued use of pellets allegedly by security forces.
Police said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the SeK and downtown areas falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations of M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, Khanyar and Rainawari to maintain law and order. Restriction has also been imposed in some areas under the police station Kralkhud and Maisuma.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwgaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik, has asked people to hold protests in their respective areas after Friday prayers against alleged civilian killings and use of pellets by security forces in the valley.
The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz, were again closed today and a large number of security forces and state police personnel had been deployed to prevent devotees from going inside. All roads leading to Masjid have been closed with barbed wire by the security forces, who were directing people to remain indoor. Large number of security forces were deployed in the Jamia market. The main road at Nowhatta, Gojwara and Khwaja Bazar has also been closed at several places and people coming from outskirts were being directed to take alternative route. 
This was the third consecutive Friday when Jamia Masjid remained closed to prevent any law and order problem. 
The entire Nallahmar road from Khanyar to Nawa Kadal was closed for any traffic and pedestrian movement. Security forces had placed barbed wire and parked bullet proof vehicles in the middle of the road. Similar restrictions were imposed on other roads in the SeK and down town. Residents on both sides of the Nallahmar road alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their houses by security force deployed near their houses. We were directed to remain indoor since curfew has been imposed since this morning, they alleged and said milkmen and vegetable sellers from outskirts were directed to go back. The local bread-makers also could not open their shops due to restrictions, the residents alleged.
Security forces and state police personnel had been deployed in strength in civil lines to foil any attempt to hold demonstrations. However, roads leading to Maisuma, stronghold of Yaseen Malik, were open. UNI