Normal life remained crippled in the Kashmir Valley for the 34th day in a row on Thursday and is expected to remain the same for at least a week again after separatists extended their dawn-to-dusk shutdown call till August 18.
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A police official said curfew and restrictions were enforced in all parts of the Valley to prevent people from staging anti-government rallies and protests.
“These precautionary measures had been taken to maintain law and order in the Valley”, a senior police officer said here.
Authorities have also suspended mobile faculties on all mobile phones except post paid mobile phones provided by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
Rail Services have remained suspended since july eight while schools are badly effected due to curfew and protests.
Fearing widespread violence on Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir government arrested separatist leaders when they were attempting to lead a march towards the martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah in Srinagar to pay tribute to those killed in the 2008 and 2010 unrest.
The clashes were also reported from Qaimouh area in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Ajar, Nowpora, Hajin areas of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Sopore in Baramulla, Arhama in central Kashmir, Dooru Tangmarg in North Kashmir, Uttrsoo Anantnag in South Kashmir and many other places including summer capital Srinagar.
The curfew and restrictions as per officials were imposed to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir who were killed during protests against the killing of Hizb commander, Burhan Wani in a “gunfight” in Bumdoora village of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district on July 8.
However, most of the shops open after 6 PM on alternate days as the separatist groups have announced relaxation in their protest programme to allow people to buy essentials.
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“But celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day is interesting, and I think it will happen across these vulnerable spots that have been at the forefront of anti-India protests for more than a month now”, Haq told Firstpost. Two more protesters were injured in Lassipora area of Sogam in the same district during clashes. “While dispersing the mob, four persons suffered minor injuries who were discharged after first aid from the hospital”, he added.
