Curfew, restrictions and shutdown continued on the 36th consecutive day in the Valley while the authorities sealed all the roads leading to commercial hub Lal Chowk to foil the separatist leadership’s ‘referendum’ march.A top police official told KNS that the curfew and restrictions continue to remain in force in Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, parts of Srinagar and in other parts of districts to thwart any possible protests and a march called by the leadership.The separatist leadership in a joint statement had called for ‘referendum’ march in Lal Chowk on Aug 13 and 14. However, witnesses told KNS that huge contingent of forces have been deployed on the roads and streets. They have erected concertina wires at all entry and exit points of the roads leading towards Lal Chowk,” witnesses said.They said that the people were not allowed to move towards Lal Chowk.Meanwhile, Chairman Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Geelani staged a sit-in outside of his Hyderpora residence when he was not allowed to march towards Lal Chowk.
Reports said that “When police didn’t allow Geelani and his associates to move forward from his lane, he sat on road in scorching heat for at least 45 minutes.”Police detained Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq when he tried to march towards Lal Chowk and lodged him in Police Station Nigeen.According to the statement issued to KNS, a huge deployment of police and paramilitary forces detained the chairman outside his Nigeen residence after he tried to march towards Lal Chowk to hold a ‘referendum’ march as per joint programme. “He was lodged in police station Nigeen,” spokesman said.Meanwhile, a youth who had sustained injuries on Aug 2 identified as Suhail Ahmad succumbed to his injuries today at SKIMS.Reports said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Lethpora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after the body of Suhail Ahmad, who succumbed at SKIMS earlier today, reached home.Reports quoting witnesses said that the youth placed the body of Ahmad on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and staged a sit-in. “Forces used teargas canisters to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes,” witnesses said.
Meanwhile, thousands of mourners participated in the funeral prayers of the deceased youth.Ahmad was injured after a security guard of SDM Ramban opened fire on protesters on August 2.He was shifted to SKIMS in critical condition where he succumbed in the wee hours today.Meanwhile, a pro-freedom rally was carried out near Aishmuqam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.The rally was held at Akad village of the district in which thousands of people mostly youth participated.The participants were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.Reports of protests were reported from other South Kashmir areas as well.Meanwhile, scores of cops including an officer were injured during the clashes between youth and forces that erupted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, reports quoting police official said.Official said that constable Dayim was hit by a stone on his head during clashes in Ashtengoo area of the district. “He was airlifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment,” official said.Clashes and protests were reported from Palhallan town after police arrested some local youth.Local sources said, “As soon as the news spread that some local youth were arrested from Misra lane in Palhallan, locals came out of their houses and resorted to protests against the arrest spree in the area.”Meanwhile, cellular services which were snapped on Thursday evening were restored on Saturday morning. However, outgoing calls of prepaid services continue to remain suspended.
Meanwhile, hours after restoring post-paid mobile phones, authorities snapped broadband services in Kashmir.Kashmir’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Javiad Mujtaba Gilani said that the situation remained by and large peaceful throughout Kashmir valley although six incidents of stone pelting were reported from Bandipora, Baramulla and Srinagar. “Restrictions under section 144/CrPC remained in force in the Valley, however, curfew was imposed in Srinagar and Anantnag town only,” he said.He said that at Ashtingoo Bandipora miscreants about 200 in number disrupted the traffic movement and pelted stones on police and security forces. “While dealing with the miscreants, two police personnel were seriously injured who were referred to Srinagar. One of them was later on shifted for advance treatment to Delhi,” he said.IGP Kashmir said that in Kanoosa, Aloosa and Kemah, Bandipora, miscreants pelted stones on the security force deployments. “Later on they were chased away,” IGP said.He said that at Palhallan, Pattan miscreants created disturbances on road and pelted stones on security force deployments. “They were chased away by using mild force,” he said.IGP said that at Zampa Kadal, Srinagar miscreants pelted stones on security force deployments. “They were also chased away,” he said. He said that last night some militants fired indiscriminately at Chanser market in Police Station Kulgam. Two persons namely Manzoor Ahmad Parrey son of Abdul Majeed Parrey and Farooq Ahmad Dar son of Habib-ul-Lah Dar both residents of Chanser died on-spot. Two persons namely Abdul Hamid Yatoo son of Abdul Majeed and Bilal Ahmad son of Mohammad Yousuf Teeli both residents of Chanser sustained injuries who were shifted to Srinagar for treatment. (KNS)