Restrictions, strike cripple life across Kashmir

Protests, clashes in Srinagar, Baramulla, SHO among 14 hurt

Srinagar: July 26-2010...After a day’s normalcy, life across the summer capital of the state came to a grinding halt on Monday due to restrictions imposed by the authorities and shutdown call given by Hurriyat Conference (G). As many as fourteen people, including four policemen were injured in fresh clashes between protests and the forces.

Reports and eyewitness said that normal life today was thrown out of gear due to the severe restrictions in old city of Srinagar and North Kashmir’s Baramulla district following a call for complete shutdown by the Pro-freedom Hurriyat Conference against the human rights violations.

All shops, offices, educational institutes, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices across valley remained closed, while traffic remained off the roads in response to the strike call given by pro-freedom Hurriyat Conference against the human rights abuses, particularly the killing of civilians since last month.

In Srinagar, the volatile areas of the old city, particularly Nowhatta, Gojwara, Hawal, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara, Safa Kadal, Eidgah, and Nawab Bazar were sealed by CRPF troops and Police since early morning fearing pro-freedom demonstrations. Equipped with riot gear and automatic rifles, troops and Police prevented the people from venturing out of their houses.

Similar restrictions were put in place in Khanyar, Khayam, Rainawari, Fateh Kadal, Naid Kadal and other areas. All the entry points to the old city were sealed by forces with iron barricades and spools of razor wire.

In uptown areas, strict restrictions were clamped in Maisuma and its adjoining areas.

Curfew like restrictions was also imposed on the civilian movement in several areas of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In North Kashmir apart from the four vital bridges connecting old town with rest of the district, CRPF and Police had laid barricades at many places along the Baramulla-Srinagar highway to thwart any attempt of people to stage pro-freedom demonstrations.

Despite restrictions, protests erupted in Delina and SRTC Bridge in the district. Protesters, particularly youth pelted rocks on the CRPF troops and Police. The ding-dong battles continued for nearly an hour. However, no reports of any injury were received.

Meanwhile, violent protests broke out in Rambagh area of Srinagar city this afternoon

scores of women took to streets near Rambagh this afternoon and staged anti-government demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters charged the CRPF men and Police of misbehaving with the women while quelling protests in the area. The women alleged that the forces not only used abusive language but also physically assaulted them. The protesting women blocked the Chanpora-Lal Chowk road link and restricted the movement of vehicles.

As the protests were going on, troops and Police reached the spot and lobbed several tear smoke shells to disperse the protesting women. However, the women offered stiff resistance and continued with their protests.

In the meantime, loud speakers’ announcements were made asking people to come out of their homes and stage protests against the highhandedness. Scores of youth came on roads and engaged troops and police in ding-dong battles. Besides raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, angry youth pelted rocks and stones on the forces. In the ensuing pitched battles at least nine people, including Station House Officer (SHO) Sadder, Nazir Ahmad, three cops and two women were injured.

Protests against human rights violations also broke out in Pampore area on the Srinagar-Jammu highway this morning. Police burst numerous teargas canisters after they failed to disperse stone the protesters with baton charge. At least five people, including a cop suffered injuries in the clashes that continued for several hours. The clashes also affected the movement of traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Reports of complete shutdown were also received from other major towns and districts of the Valley.(curtsy Pbi)