Restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar city on Wednesday to avoid any violence as separatists have called for a shutdown to protest the killing of civilians by security forces. Restrictions are in place in areas like Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, MR Gunj and Safa Kadal. “Partial restrictions have also been imposed in Maisuma and Kralkhud,” an unidentified police official told IANS.
Police personnel and jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force have been deployed in the restricted areas, and barbed wire has been placed at traffic crossings. Train services between North Kashmir’s Baramulla town and Jammu’s Bannihal town were suspended too.
The separatists’ call for a shutdown comes a day after a woman was killed after being hit by a bullet during clashes between villagers and the security forces. Twenty-four-year-old Beauty Jan was hit by a bullet in her abdomen and died on the way to a hospital.
The Joint Resistance Leadership, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, condemned the killings of Beauty Jan of Shopian, and Misra Bano and Asif Iqbal of Kupwara. In a statement on Tuesday, the JRL said the security forces are “here only to kill Kashmiris and pro-India politicians are deployed to provide a legal shield to these killers”, reported Greater Kashmir.
Authorities put separatist leader and chairperson of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest on Tuesday evening. “Placed under #HouseArrest again, while the inhuman brutal killings of #Kashmiris including our young women continue and the collaborators who preside over them sing paeans of their masters”, Farooq said on Twitter.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!