Curfew imposed across Kashmir ahead of first anniversary of Article 370 revocation

Srinagar: A curfew was imposed across the valley on Tuesday as authorities apprehended violent protests in view of plans by separatists and Pakistan-sponsored groups to observe August 5, the first anniversary of revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, as a black day.

Police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength across the valley to ensure that the plans of the separatists to disturb peace did not succeed, officials said.

They said police vehicles, fitted with public address systems, went around localities announcing the imposition of strict curfew for two days.

“People are requested not to violate the law and stay indoors, ” the police said.

“Barricades have been set up at hundreds of places in Kashmir, including Srinagar city, to regulate the movement of essential services and emergencies while concertina wires have been also been laid,” the officials said.

The authorities had announced on Monday that the curfew would be imposed in Srinagar and other parts of the valley in view of the inputs about violent protests endangering public life and property as the separatist and Pakistan-sponsored groups were planning to observe August 5 as a “Black Day”.

An order issued by Srinagar district magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said any such mass gathering would also be detrimental to efforts related to COVID containment.

Choudhary said that tthe movement and assembly of people have been prohibited to avoid the spread of infection, particularly in the wake of a recent spike in cases.

“Therefore, after having considered the material facts in said report and examining the situation in the backdrop of prevailing factors, I, District Magistrate, Srinagar, by virtue of powers vested in me u/s 144 Cr PC hereby order complete restrictions on public movement/curfew in the territorial jurisdiction of District Srinagar,” the order read.

“However, medical emergencies and movement of staff on COVID-19 duty with pass/valid cards shall be exempted from the restrictions,” the order said.