Asia-Pacific

Curfew reimposed in India-controlled Kashmir

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-16 16:50

SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir - The Authorities on Friday reimposed a curfew in Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir and other major towns to prevent anti-Indian demonstrations against New Delhi's rule.  

The strict restrictions were enforced by thousands of policemen and India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed along the streets and roads of Srinagar city and elsewhere in towns.

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Meanwhile, official sources in the Indian capital New Delhi said that the authorities have reimposed the curfew in Srinagar, Handwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal and some areas ahead of the rally by separatists to protest the death of at least 15 civilians allegedly killed in police firing in the last one month.

Large number of security forces have also been deployed to maintain law and order in the region, said the sources.

Police and paramilitary troopers had laid barricades and concertina on the roads and intersections of the city to prevent movement of people and vehicles.

"The police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in full strength in our locality," said Bilal Ahmad, a downtown resident in a telephonic interview.

The restrictions are likely to hit Friday afternoon congregational prayers in main mosques including grand mosque Jamia Masjid in old city Srinagar.

Protests intensified in Muslim majority areas Thursday after people on separatist call came out on roads to stage sit-in protests demonstrations against New Delhi's rule in region.

People came out on streets in various localities across Srinagar Thursday to join the sit in protests, and mosques blared pro-independence slogans and songs.

The restrictions and strike call has paralyzed businesses and transport across the region including Srinagar city. Traffic is also off the roads.

For the last 26 days the unrest in Indian controlled Kashmir affected people's life.

"We lifted all restrictions yesterday, but after people came on roads, the administration got worried and imposed restrictions again as a precautionary measure," a police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

On Wednesday, police and counter insurgents (government gunmen) beat up residents staging a sit-in protest in Anantnag town, 60 km south of Srinagar.

Local news-gathering agencies reported that police have raided residential homes and arrested more than 700 teenagers in the last few weeks on charges of stone pelting, mostly in Srinagar.

Unrest over the last month had mounted pressure on provincial government, which is struggling to bring the situation under control. Fifteen people mostly teenagers were killed in firing on protesters by police and paramilitary since June 11.