Bunker removal process starts in Srinagar
By IANSTuesday, October 5, 2010
SRINAGAR - The process of removing 16 bunkers manned by security forces began here Tuesday with a view to bring peace back to the Kashmir Valley after weeks of street protests and deaths.
“It has been decided to dismantle 16 bunkers from Srinagar city,” a police official said.
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker was the first to go — from the densely populated Magarmal Bagh area, less than half a kilometre from city centre Lal Chowk.
The decision to remove bunkers was taken at the unified headquarters meeting last week.
Meanwhile, authorities imposed curfew in Nowhatta, Rainawari, M.R. Gunj, Safa Kadal, Parimpora and Khanyar police station areas of Srinagar to scuttle a separatist protest march called by hardliner Syed Ali Geelani to north Kashmir’s Kupwara town.
Security forces in full gear were deployed in these areas to enforce the curfew restrictions, an official said.
Curfew has also been imposed in Sopore, Kupwara and Handwara towns while restrictions have been imposed in Baramulla, Palhalan and Delina towns of north Kashmir, the official added.
However, no curfew restrictions were imposed in uptown areas of the city where shops, public transport and other businesses remained shut although many educational institutions functioned normally.
