Authorities on Friday imposed curfew-like restrictions in Old City and in Maisuma to prevent protests and unfurling of Pakistan flags. However, Pakistan flags were raised at different parts of region.According GNS correspondent, hundreds of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in the areas of Old City falling under five police stations including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Maharaj Gunj and Safakdal to impose restrictions on the movement of civilians. The government forces who were armed with assault rifles and in riot gear restricted the civilian movement across the Old City throughout the day.The restrictions were also imposed in volatile Maisuma, which houses the headquarters of pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), with forces closing all the entry and exit points with barbed wires.
Eyewitnesses told GNS that forces didn’t allow residents to come out of their houses in Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Mallarata, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal and Jamia Masjid. They said that at Nowhatta, the forces also thrashed many people for violating order of restrictions.The forces barred worshippers to offers Friday prayers in central Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta. Locals said that the forces personal deployed in the area showed sticks to all those who tried to proceed towards the Grand Mosque. Last time it was on first Friday of Ramadhan this year when people were barred from offering congregational prayers in Jamia Masjid.Despite strict vigil, the resistance leaders managed to unfurl Pakistan flags at multiple places. The chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Millat Syedah Asiya Andrabi and her supporters had raised Pakistan flags in Soura, Illahi bagh, Nowhshehra, Buchpora. They also held a function to celebrate the Pakistan Independence Day and sang country’s national anthem.
The Pakistan flags were also raised atop on mobile towers in various parts of the city. The youths waved Pakistan flags at Habba Kadal, Old Barzulla and also in Khudwani Kulgam and Shopian.Youths in Hajin area of Bandipora district bursted firecrackers to celebrate the Pakistan Independence Day and also waved pro-Pakistan slogans. They, according to reports, also waved Pakistan flags. Besides Hajin, the flags of Pakistan were also waved at Naidkhai and Sumbal.The resistance leaders, meanwhile, have reiterated their appeal of shutdown on August 15. (GNS)