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Authorities reimpose curfew, restrictions in parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, July 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Authorities on Friday reimposed curfew and restrictions in several parts of restive Indian-controlled Kashmir to foil separatist protest march, officials said.

The region's separatists had called for a protest march to Jamia Masjid (grand mosque) in Srinagar city, the summer capital of indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Curfew was reimposed in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam towns, besides restrictions in southern districts," an official said. "Curfew-like restrictions will remain in force in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts.

Hundreds of Indian paramilitary and police personnel were seen deployed on the roads in Srinagar city to enforce restrictions. The men in uniform had placed barricades of steel and coils of concertina wire to impede free movement of people and vehicles.

Residents said they were asked to stay inside and avoid venturing out.

"After the dawn, policemen visited our locality and announced curfew," Mushatq Ahmad, a resident of Nowahatta said.

"The policemen didn't allowed bakers to open shops and stopped milkmen from delivering milk to the households."

Key separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were immediately detained as they tried to come out of their residence to lead a protest march to grand mosque.

Another separatist leader Mohammed Yasin Malik was detained at a police station.

Dozens of people staged a protest demonstration near the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office in Srinagar, seeking UN intervention to resolve Kashmir issue. The policemen fired tear smoke shells and baton charged the protesters to chase them away.

An office of UNMOGIP is stationed in Srinagar since 1949. The office was set up to monitor the ceasefire line, now known as LoC, a de facto border that divides Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani controlled parts.

Reports of protest and clashes poured in from Sopore town and several places of Kupwara district.

Life in Muslim majority areas of the region remains paralysed for the 21st straight day. Shops, businesses, educational institutions and offices remained closed in the region in wake of shutdown and restrictions. Traffic was also off the roads.

Indian-controlled Kashmir has been witnessing an intense spell of protests and violence since July 9, following the killing of a top militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Burhan Muzaffar Wani, along with two associates. The 22-year-old Wani was poster boy of HM, the region's indigenous militant outfit.

Authorities initially imposed a curfew in Muslim majority areas of the region for 17 days and relaxed it on Tuesday in most of the areas except Anantnag. Police firing on civilian protesters has so far resulted in killing of around 50 people, mostly teenagers and young, besides injuring over 2,200, according to local media reports.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endit