Curfew across Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR - Curfew was imposed across the Kashmir Valley Friday to thwart a proposed separatist march in this summer capital against alleged human rights violations by security forces.

Police vehicles fitted with loudspeakers made announcements throughout Srinagar city late Thursday that a curfew would remain in force from 6.a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

Restrictions were also imposed in other major towns like Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Koimoh, Kakpora, Pampore and Bijbehera.

“Curfew is being strictly enforced and no violation will be allowed anywhere. At the same time, strict instructions have been given to the security forces to exercise utmost restraint,” a senior police officer said here.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for a protest rally to Eidgah grounds against the violence the state has seen in the last week and alleged human rights violations by security forces.

Geelani was arrested last month under the Public Safety Act and has been lodged in a tourist hut in the high security Chashmashahi area here, keeping in view his age and failing health.

Many other senior leaders of Geelani’s group have also been arrested while Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat group, has been placed under house arrest in his uptown Nigeen residence in Srinagar city.

There were no restrictions Monday when separatists had called for a protest rally to north Kashmir’s Sopore town to attend the funeral prayers of youth killed when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel fired at protesting mobs.

Hundreds of protesters had joined Monday’s rally, protesting against the killing of a youth in Sopore town and another teenager in Delina village, 14 km from Sopore, on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway.