Separatist shutdown, restrictions cripple Srinagar again
A shutdown called by separatists and restrictions imposed by authorities paralysed life in Srinagar yesterday, just a day after a semblance of normalcy was restored after days of strikes and curfew. North Kashmir's Baramulla town, meanwhile, was tense after a boy allegedly drowned there after being chased by security forces.
The hardline separatist Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani has called for a Valley-wide shutdown yesterday to protest alleged human rights violations by the security forces in Kashmir.
The shutdown is part of the group's continuing 'Quit Kashmir' programme.
'Restrictions have been imposed in Srinagar's Old City areas and uptown Maisuma, Batmaloo and Humhama localities to prevent violence,' a police officer said here.
Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents were moved out early morning to enforce restrictions.
Traffic intersections were blocked with coils of razor-fitted wire in the Old City and in Maisuma and Batmaloo areas. Both vehicular and pedestrian movement has been disallowed by security forces.
Reports of restrictions also came in from north Kashmir Sopore town where police and CRPF personnel have been deployed.
The Kashmir Valley had witnessed normalcy Saturday after 12 days of separatist shutdowns and official restrictions. Hundreds of vehicles were seen on Srinagar roads resulting in traffic jams here.
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