Srinagar: Authorities have imposed restrictions in Srinagar and some other major towns of the Kashmir Valley to maintain law and order during separatist-sponsored protests Wednesday.
“Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPc (Criminal Procedure Code) have been imposed by the district magistrate in Srinagar city today (Wednesday). Security forces have been asked to impose the restrictions to maintain law and order in the city,” a senior police official told here.
Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad said imposing restrictions had become necessary to maintain peace in the wake of the protest called by separatists.
He also said that the situation would be closely monitored during the day and, if the need arose, curfew would be imposed in areas where violence is expected.
Under Section 144 of the CrPc, assembly of five or more persons is deemed unlawful and the police can use force to break such an assembly.
Reports from north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sopore districts and south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam towns confirmed that restrictions have been imposed there as well.
Syed Ali Geelani, chairman of the hardline Hurriyat group, called for a two-day shutdown starting Wednesday against the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and to mount pressure on the central government for the return of his body to the family.
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has also called for a shutdown and protests in the Kashmir Valley Friday to press for the return of Guru’s body.
Syed Ali Geelani, presently in New Delhi, told reporters over phone that the Delhi Police placed him under house arrest after Guru’s hanging.
Kashmir University officials said the exams scheduled for Wednesday would not be postponed.
Responding to a query as to how the students would reach examination centres during the restrictions, the controller of examinations said the identity cards issued to students would facilitate their movement in areas under restriction.
-IANS
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