Curfew continue in Kashmir, newspapers seized by Police

June 30, 2010 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Srinagar (June 30, 2010): As per a report of Kashmir Watch the entire valley continued to be tense on Wednesday, a day after three teenagers were killed in police firing in south Kashmir’s Anantnag District.

Curfew is still in place in most areas, including Sopore, Anantnag and Baramulla Districts including some areas of Srinagar city also.

According to Agence India Press city reporter authorities deployed hundreds of additional forces in volatile old city areas to thwart any demonstrations and processions.

Scores of paramilitary troopers and policemen have been deployed in Nowhata, Safakadal, Nawakadal, Zaina Kadal, Nawab Bazar and other adjoining areas of old city of Srinagar to impose restrictions.

Reports said that the troopers were not allowing anyone to come out of their houses.

Bilal Ahmad, a local resident of Zaina Kadal Said that we are not being even allowed to open the windows.

As I am father of 3 months old baby, I was suppose to get milk for her but, unfortunately they (Police) didn’t allow me to come out from my house even I request them, he said.

Troops and police have erected barricades at various entry and exit points.

However, restrictions in the civil line areas have been eased. A top police officer told Agence India Press that, we have made additional deployments only in volatile areas.

Meanwhile authorities brought under curfew more areas in south Kashmir, where three youths were killed when CRPF opened fire during clashes with protestors.

Due to overnight protests in many areas of south Kashmir, curfew was clamped in Bijbehara, Pahalgam, Kulgam and Pulwama districts this morning. Curfew is also being strictly enforced in Sopore, Baramulla, Anantnag and seven police stations areas of Srinagar, police said.

Restrictions under Section 144, which prohibit the assembly of over four persons, are in place in and around Srinagar and Baramulla Districts.

At least eight people have been killed in firing in the valley over the last five days.

Reports from Bandipora said that policemen who were deployed in strength in Ajjas town after seizing the newspaper copies threatened hawkers of dire consequences.

Police also seized the newspaper copies near Lathpora and didn’t allow the vehicle carrying newspapers copies to proceed south towards south Kashmir.

In many places of Srinagar city forces and police stop media persons, while they were pursuing their duties. After harassed by security personnel city reporter of local newspaper said, that media and press is the cream of society and we thing that security personnel are not aware of it. These personnel are not educated and its very shame for us that those illiterate people harass journalists thousand times a day without any reason.

As usual in the morning, when I left for the office around 9:00 AM (IST) security personnel stopped me and ask for curfew pass, but eventually no curfew was imposed in our area, he said.

In Handwara, protesters attacked the house of senior National Conference leader Sharief-ud-din Sharik at Handwara in north Kashmir on Wednesday, police sources said.

“Protesters throw stones at Sharik’s house and tried to barge into it. However, policemen deployed there chased them away,” sources added.