SRINAGAR: Indian authorities’ yesterday scuttled a pro-independence rally here by clamping strict restrictions for the second day running in entire Kashmir Valley, where a dozen persons were injured in police-protester clashes after Friday prayers.
Thousands of police and paramilitary, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers who were deployed in summer capital Srinagar early yesterday, sealed off the historic Jama Masjid and the city roads enforcing curfew like restrictions.
“We are enforcing Section 144 of the CRPC strictly and we won’t allow anyone to violate it,” a senior police officer said.
Security forces blocked roads by barricades and razor fitted wire coils in capital Srinagar and its outskirts.
Protesters shouting anti-India slogans took to streets in capital city and in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sopore towns and indulged in rock pelting on police and CRPF.
The security forces responded by firing tear gas shells and using batons to disperse the stone throwing youths. Nearly a dozen persons including two security men were injured in post Friday prayer clashes.
Shops, business establishments in summer capital and other major towns of the valley are closed for the second day, and both private and public transport is off the roads.
All the state government offices, banks and educational institutions are closed, and authorities have rescheduled the ongoing board and university examinations.
The joint Coordination Committee, comprising representatives of both groups of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), local traders and bar association members rescheduled its Thursday’s march to the masjid located in the Nowhatta area of old city to yesterday, after authorities foiled their attempt by clamping an undeclared curfew here on Thursday.
State assembly polls announced here last month are scheduled to be held between Nov. 14 and Dec. 24.
