Curfew, restriction and shutdown continued for the 72nd straight day in Kashmir while the clashes and protests were reported from several areas throughout the day.However, mobile phones and internet services remained suspended in the Valley, however, only BSNL Broadband and post-paid services are being allowed to operate. Meanwhile, a top police official told KNS that the curfew and restrictions remained in force in several Srinagar areas and in several towns as well. “The decision to impose restrictions was taken to foil the march to the three districts Bandipora (in north Kashmir), Ganderbal (in central Kashmir) and Shopian (in south Kashmir) called by the separatist leaders,” he said.Witnesses told KNS that all the entry and exit points of these districts were sealed by the authorities while a large contingent of force were also seen patrolling throughout the day.Clashes and protests were reported from several South, North and central Kashmir areas during the day.Over a dozen of people were injured after forces allegedly attacked a pro-freedom rally in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.Local sources said that forces used tear gas canisters to foil the pro-freedom rally, which was ongoing in Manzgam Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam, triggering clashes.
“Forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were pelting stones on them,” reports said, adding that the clashes were ongoing till the late hours of this morning.Besides observing complete shutdown throughout the day, reports of protests were also reported from several South Kashmir areas.All the shops and business establishments remained closed while the traffic was off the roads.Similar situation was witnesses in central Kashmir today while clashes were also reported from several areas.Clashes were reported from Batamaloo, Habba Kadal, interiors of Khanyar, and other areas throughout the day.Local sources from these areas told KNS that minor clashes erupted between youth and forces in these areas during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.Meanwhile, in North Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed on the 72nd straight day today.All the shops, schools, petrol pumps, other business establishments remained closed throughout the day while the traffic was off the roads.Meanwhile, reports said that hundreds of people defied restrictions and marched towards Eidgah in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.Witnesses said the residents of Aloosa, Onagam, Panzigam, Watapora, Kaloosa, Nowpora, Plan, Papchan and other adjoining localities assembled at Gulshan Chowk and started marching towards the Eidgah.
The participants were raising slogans against India and in favor of ‘Azadi’.Reports said that people in the district had called for a march to the Eidgah today in which hundreds of people participated.Meanwhile, authorities have sealed all entry and exit points leading towards Bandipora district to thwart “Bandipora chalo’ issued by the joint resistance camp. Meanwhile, the reports of clashes and protests were also reported from several north Kashmir areas as well.It is worth to mention here that the mobile telephony, except the postpaid connections of BSNL, and the mobile internet services continued to remain snapped across the Valley.The broadband services were restored late last night after scribes on Saturday protested against the communication 'gag'. These services had remained snapped across the Valley for five days. Meanwhile, according to statement issued to KNS by Zonal Police headquarters, apart from few stone pelting incidents in Kulgam, Kupwara and Awantipora, overall situation remained under control across the valley till filing of this report.“There was increased vehicular movement on city roads as well as between various districts and towns,” the statement reads.The official said that restriction under section 144 CrPC remained in force in the valley. However, curfew was imposed under the areas of some police stations in Srinagar city and in Shopian town only.They further said that continuing its drive against the trouble mongers involved in damaging civilian vehicles, shops/houses and placing obstructions on roads/lanes, police arrested 56 miscreants during the last 24 hours. “Minor stone pelting incidents were reported from Sadoora in Kulgam, Padgampora in Awantipora and Panzgam in Kupwara. At these places miscreants assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security force deployments. They were dispersed by using mild force,” the statement reads. (KNS)