Restrictions in parts of Srinagar for third day

Srinagar: Restrictions continued in parts of Srinagar for the third consecutive day today as the strike called by separatists entered its second day, bringing life in the Valley to a standstill. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc continued in seven police station areas of the city here, a police official said.

He said strict curbs have been imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safakadal, MR Gunj and Khanyar, while partial restrictions were in force in Maisuma and Kralkhud areas. Restrictions have also been imposed in Pulwama and Shopian towns of south Kashmir while security forces have been deployed in strength across the valley for maintaining law and order, the official said.

He said restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an amalgam of separatist groups spearheaded by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, yesterday extended the strike for the second day as well to protest against the death of five civilians during clashes with security forces following an encounter in which five militants, including a university professor, were killed at Shopian on Sunday.

While Geelani and Mirwaiz have been placed under house arrest, Malik has been taken into preventive custody since Saturday. The strike has affected normal life across the valley. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed throughout the Valley as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order situation, officials said.

Kashmir University as well as Islamic University of Science and Technology have cancelled all academic activity and postponed the exams scheduled to be today. Shops and other business establishments remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike call, the official said.

Train services from Banihal to Baramulla have been suspended while Internet services in mobile devices continue to remain suspended for the fourth day today in many districts of the valley. The official said the situation across the valley is peaceful so far.