Restrictions, separatist strike hit life in Srinagar

SRINAGAR - An undeclared curfew continued in the Old City areas of Srinagar Tuesday even as a separatist shutdown adversely affected life across the Kashmir Valley.

Heavy deployment of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) barred pedestrian movement and traffic in areas falling under five police stations for a second straight day.

“The restrictions are purely preventive in nature to protect life and property of civilians and to prevent miscreants from creating a law and order problem,” a senior police officer here said.

Tension has been running high in the city after a 26-year old youth, Javaid Ahmad Malla, was killed in Old City’s Waniyar (Noorbagh) area when an irate mob tried to torch a CRPF bunker there Sunday.

Markets, banks and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley because of a strike called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an enquiry into the killing of Malla. Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Naseema Lankar has been asked to submit his report to the authorities.