Government Friday foiled ‘Jamia Masjid chalo’ march of resistance leadership by imposing strict curfew in Old City while rest of the Valley observed a shutdown on 126th day of mass uprising.The joint resistance leadership had asked people to march towards Jamia Masjid in Old City’s Nowhatta area to break siege of Grand Mosque but authorities imposed strict curfew in entire downtown areas falling under five police station areas. Since early morning, thousands of police and CRPF men were deployed all across Srinagar and all roads leading to Jamia Masjidwere sealed with concertina wires.Due to strict curfew, the Friday prayers couldn’t be offered at Jamia Masjid once again on 18th consecutive week. According to locals, the forces didn’t allow them to venture out of their homes. Some locals of Old City alleged that forces didn’t allow them to move towards mosques to offer Friday prayers. In areas like Habba Kadal, Kani Kadal, Gaw Kadal and Maisuma, sloght restrictions were imposed on the movement of people. The other areas of city were also under thick security blanket.
Amid strict restrictions, protests and clashes broke out at several places in Valley including in Srinagar after Friday prayers. Massive clashes erupted between youth and government forces at Rawalpora area of Srinagar. Reports said soon after Friday prayers, scores of youths took to streets and staged anti-India protests. They hurled rocks on government forces who retaliated by firing teargas shells and pepper canisters. The clashes continued till late hours and police fired in air to disperse the demonstrators.The clashes and protests amid restrictions and lockdown were reported other districts of Valley. Clashes and protests were reported from Tahab, Naira, Rohmoo areas of Pulwama district while similar protests erupted at Bandipora and Kulgam districts.Detailing the situation, a police spokesman said: “Except for a few minor stone pelting incidents in Pulwama, Shopian the overall situation across the valley remained peaceful and under control. As a precautionary measure restrictions were imposed in some areas of Srinagar city.”“During the day normal life was observed generally in the most parts of Valley. Vehicles both Public and private were seen plying on city roads as well as in main towns and on the inter-district roads. The shops/vendors in parts of Srinagar city and other towns were also seen doing their business.Necessary security deployment was made in some vulnerable points in Srinagar and also in main towns of the valley to prevent any possible untoward incident disturbing normal life and smooth flow of traffic,” the spokesman added.(GNS)