Curfew imposed in parts of Srinagar

Fearing trouble following the general strike called by the moderate Hurriyat Conference against any move to extend lease to Army firing rage at Tosa Maidan in the central Kashmir, authorities imposed undeclared curfew in parts of Srinagar on Saturday.

Since early morning, hundreds of security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, wearing bullet proof jackets and holding automatic weapons and batons in hands were directing people to remain indoors in most parts of old Srinagar city.

Security forces had closed main roads with barbed wire at Braripora, Nawa Kadal, Khanyar and entire Nallahmar. No vehicle, including two wheelers, were allowed to ply on these routes. However, there is no restriction on the movement of pedestrians in these areas.

Shops and business establishments in the old city Srinagar remained closed while vehicular traffic was off the roads. However, private vehicles could be seen plying in the civil lines and uptown areas.

The educational institutions, including government schools, were closed as most of the educational institutions had declared a holiday. However, some schools, mostly private were functioning in the city outskirts.

Work in government offices, banks and other institutions were also affected due to the strike.

Police had placed Mirwaiz Umar and several other leaders of moderate Hurriyat under house arrest, reports said.

The reports of shutdown also came from other parts of the valley, also with the roads and streets wearing a desolated look. A police spokesman said that the situation throughout the day remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.