A top police official told that the curfew remained in force in M R Gunj and Nowhatta areas of old city Srinagar only while following the improvement in the situation, the curfew was lifted in Pulwama as well. The house of a senior photo journalist working with an global agency was damaged by forces in Batamaloo area. Private vehicles were seen plying on different roads including in the capital city. However the separatists sponsored shutdown continued for the 52nd day on Monday in Kashmir.
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Even as schools, colleges and other educational institutions and shops remained closed due to the strike, the attendance in government offices and work in banks have improved since yesterday, the officer said. The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement organized a protest demonstration at Surankote in Poonch district.
Anti-government rallies, stone-throwing and clashes were reported from Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama districts. He sustained injuries and his arm got fractured.
Reports said that he was immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment.
“After harassing and questioning Mohammad Ashraf Sehraie, Peer Saifullah, Altaf Ahmad Shah and Ayaz Akbar during their detention, Geelani’s elder son Dr Naeem Geelani has been issued a notice by the NIA to report to its interrogation centre in Shivpora for questioning”, it said in Srinagar.
Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947.
“They also fired teargas shells and pellets on the people who tried to resist their move injuring at least 20”, they said.
Later, the rally was held peacefully, he said.
Protests were also held at Sopore’s fruit market over accusations that security forces did not let sellers there conduct transactions early this morning.
Given the hardening of postures, both by the central and the state governments, it is unlikely that the all-party delegation headed by Rajnath Singh would call on the separatist leaders. Witnesses said that large number of people from these hamlets took to roads and organized anti-India and pro-freedom protests.
The people raised pro-freedom, anti-India and anti-army slogans. Protesters torched Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s effigies including one in Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar. “Greater movement of traffic and people was observed across the valley including the city Srinagar”, the spokesman added.
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There were minor stone-pelting incidents at a few places on August 29, but the overall situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the Valley, he said.
