Srinagar: Tough security restrictions and a Valley-wide shutdown on Friday marked India’s Independence Day, which in Kashmir remains largely an official celebration. Srinagar observed a complete shutdown on the occasion of Indias Independence Day while authorities clamped restrictions in Old City of Srinagar to contain protests. The authorities also suspended mobile phone services for several hours in the valley .
Witnesses said that since early morning, hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force ? CRPF were deployed across the Old City areas falling under five police stations including MR Gunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal.
The government forces had laid concertina wires and placed armored vehicles to restrict civilian movement, witnesses said. The forces had blocked main squares and bridges of the Old City including at Nawab Bazar, Rajouri Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Khanyar, Nawakadal and Kawdara, they said.
As is norm on any VVIP event, the authorities on Friday suspended mobile phone and internet services in Kashmir Valley. Officials said the move was aimed at discouraging “sabotage” by militants or separatist forces. The services, however, were restored after function was over in the noon.
Although it was an official holiday, the shops, commercial establishments, schools, colleges, universities, petrol pumps were shut in the city while private and public transport remained off roads.
The authorities had deployed CRPF and police personnel in sensitive areas of civil Lines including Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Dalgate, Maisuma, Jehangir Chowk and Batamaloo to main security and law and order, an official said.
However, in the afternoon, the security restrictions were eased following which slight movement of people was witnessed.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon stone-throwing incidents were witnessed in Habba Kadal and Nowhsehra areas of the city, witnesses said.
Apart from Srinagar, the other parts of the valley also witnessed a complete shutdown.
Reports said the shutdown was observed in north Kashmirs Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora districts while youths in Main Town Baramulla and in Hajin town of Bandipora took to streets and clashed with government forces.
Eyewitnesses said groups of youth clashed with forces on Cement Bridge in Baramulla town.
In Hajin, at least four youths and a policeman were injured during violent clashes between youths and forces. Forces lobbed dozens of teargas shells to disperse the youths but they offered stiff resistance and continued stone-pelting, an eyewitness, Ishfaq Ahmad said.
Police fired pellets at the protesting youths after policeman was injured during the stone throwing .
Complete shutdown was also observed in four districts of south Kashmir including Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian amid heightened security.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
