Authorities on Thursday continued to impose curfew in Southern districts of Anantnag, Kulgam while restrictions continued in parts of Srinagar to thwart any possible protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir.Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, told KNS that no major clashes were reported in South Kashmir districts today while minor clashes in Zainpora, Shopian and few places in Pulwama were reported in the day.Large contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployed on roads to thwart any protests against the civilian killings in Kashmir. “Concertina wires were also erected by the forces on roads,” witnesses said.Clashes erupted between youth and forces in several old city areas while the residents of Gadood Bagh area in Shaher-e-Khaas alleged that forces in their locality went “berserk” on this afternoon.The locals told KNS that, “Forces without any provocation ransacked the windowpanes of our residential houses.”
Locals said that some children were throwing stones on the forces in their locality during which forces ransack the windowpanes of their residential houses. “The forces after dispersing the protesting youth ransacked the windowpanes of our residential houses,” they said.Amid observing complete shutdown, a protest rally was carried out from Nowhatta Chowk while police swung into action at Bohri Kadal and dispersed the protesters.Reports of clashes were reported from several old city areas including Safa Kadal, Qamarwari, Noorbagh, Kathidarwaza, Saida Kadal and Rainawari. “Police fired teargas shells to disperse the youth,” witnesses said.According to KNS correspondent, the residents of Chota Bazar offered Zuhar (afternoon) prayers on roads to mark a protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir.Scores of residents mostly youth took to streets and blocked all the entry and exit points of the locality with erecting temporary barricades on the roads.
The youth also staged protests and were chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. “They later offered Zuhar prayers on roads to mark a protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir,” witnesses said.A police official told KNS that barring few minor stone pelting incidents, situation remained peaceful across Srinagar.Reports of clashes were also reported from South Kashmir districts while forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.North Kashmir districts also observed complete shutdown to protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir while a top police official told KNS that the situation in north Kashmir districts remained peaceful.Meanwhile, after post-paid mobile phone services, prepaid services were also restored on late Wednesdayevening for incoming calls only. For the last 20 days, only post paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) worked in the Valley.The decision to clampdown the cellular services was taken in view of the current protests in Kashmir during which 50 civilians were killed while more than 3000 civilians received injuries. The protests started a day after Hizb commander, Burhan Wani, was killed in a gunfight in Bumdoora village of Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on July 8. (KNS)