Curfew continues in Srinagar after violence

SRINAGAR - Curfew continued in summer capital Sunday after two days of violence in which six people were killed in firing by security forces. Separatists have called for a shutdown across the Kashmir Valley to protest the killings, prolonging the “difficult times” for residents.

Police vehicles fitted with loudspeakers made repeated announcements in both the Old City and uptown areas, urging people to remain indoors as curfew was imposed in the city for the second consecutive day.

“Police vehicles made curfew announcements outside my home and said nobody must venture outside as an indefinite curfew was in place.

“Restrictions and curfew have become a daily routine here. And on days when there are no restrictions, the separatists call shutdowns,” said a resident of Old City area who did not want to be named.

“My daughter is doing her MBBS in the local medical college and her exam has again been postponed now. These are very difficult times,” he added.

Authorities here say curfew is a preventive measure resorted to under extreme conditions given the overall law and order situation.

“Nobody would like to inconvenience the common man unless it becomes unavoidable. The separatists call for protests, marches and shutdowns and their basic aim is to incite youth to violence even when they say the protests would be peaceful.

“We are yet to see the so-called peaceful separatist protests,” a senior police officer said here.

Reports here said the Jammu-Srinagar highway was blocked by unruly mobs at various places in south Kashmir by felling trees and laying them across the highway.

Times have really become very difficult for the common Kashmiri as normal life has been thrown completely out of gear for the last 55 days. Reports from other towns of the Valley said curfew was being imposed there as well.

Separatists have called for a Valley-wide shutdown against the recent killings of civilians in firing by security forces.

Six protesters were killed in the last two days in different violent protests across Kashmir. Over 80 people, including protesters and security personnel, have been injured in the violence. Eight of them are said to be battling for life.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, who was released here Saturday, told the authorities that he would not obey the release orders as he was being released on parole, sources said.

“Geelani Sahib told officials that if they wanted to release him they must revoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) order against him,” a source close to the separatist leader said here.

The valley has been virtually paralysed due to violent protests against civilians being killed in firing by security forces since June 11.