Curfew-like situation in Indian Kashmir ahead of separatists' protest

A curfew-like situation prevailed in the Kashmir Valley on Monday as troops were deployed in strength to thwart a planned protest by separatists who also gave a strike call forcing closure of business establishments, offices and educational institutions.

The restrictions were imposed by the authorities as the separatist coordination committee had announced that it would form a human chain from Saddar court complex in Lal Chowk to High Court complex to protest the landing of Indian troops in the state on October 27, 1947.

All roads leading to Lal Chowk were sealed and even government officials who were heading to their workplaces were stopped for thorough frisking.

All shops, business establishments, offices, schools and other educational institutions remained closed on account of the strike called by the committee in the midst of stringent security measures.

Residents of the city and elsewhere in the valley were not allowed to come out of their homes by police and paramilitary forces.

However, Superintendent of Police, Control Room, Showkat Malik said no curfew had been imposed except for Baramulla town where one person was killed and eight other injured in security forces firing yesterday.

He said security had been beefed up in the city to prevent any law and order problem.

Even media personnel were not allowed to move freely as some CRPF and police officers claimed that curfew had been imposed in the city.

Authorities here have imposed curfew three times in as many months to thwart separatists' plans to hold protest rallies.