kashmir on August 31 2010

Amid curfew, Kashmir largely peaceful

Srinagar august 31:

Barring sporadic incidents of stone-pelting violence, the situation remained largely peaceful in Kashmir valley where curfew was clamped in Srinagar, Anantnag and Pulwama districts while restrictions prevailed elsewhere to prevent any untoward incident.

The officials said that curfew was imposed in Anantnag and adjoining Pulwama district this morning as a precautionary measure.

However, reports said, despite curfew, 12-year-old Irshad Ahmad Parray, who died in police firing last evening, was laid to rest at a graveyard early this morning with thousands of people participating in his funeral prayers.

Later, clashes broke out between stone pelting mobs near Gulshanabad, Lazibal, Sarnal, Mattan chowk and other adjoining areas but there were no reports about injury to anyone in the ding dong battle.

Curfew was also imposed in Srinagar this morning as people took to the streets in Maisuma in the heart of the city following rumours that one of the eight persons injured in the firing died in a hospital.

Official sources said the condition of the injured identified as Yasir Rafiq Sheikh was critical and he continued to on ventilator. At doctor attending upon him at the SHMS hospital here said that incase Sheikh, relative of JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, survived, it would be no less than a miracle itself. However, he said, that the doctors were trying their utmost best to save him.

In the city, curfew was clamped in areas falling under police stations of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Soura, Nigeen, Zadibal, Hazratbal, Dalgate, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Shaheedgunj, Batmaloo, Qammerwari, Dalgate, Ram Munish Bagh, Tourist Reception Centre and Lal Bazar, police said.

In the rest of the areas of the city, restrictions have been imposed on the movement of people, they said.

Despite curfew and restrictions, groups of youth appeared in Natipora, Rambagh and Barzulla area of the city and staged demonstrations. Security forces and police chased them away

Shops, educational institutions, banks and private offices remained closed and all modes of transport was off the roads in response to the separatist’s call for strike.