Curfew in Kashmir on Eid day, 2 killed
Two people were killed and several others injured during clashes with security forces in Kashmir, as all 10 districts observe Eid under a strict curfew for the first time since India's independence, reports NDTV.
A man was killed in firing as protesters clashed with security forces on Tuesday morning in Bandipore, less than 70 km from Jammu and Kashmir capital Srinagar. Another person was killed in clashes in Shopian. The death toll in violent clashes in the state since July is now 81.
Protesters have defied restrictions in many places, taking out demonstrations. Several people have been injured in clashes with security forces across the valley.
For the first time, Eid prayers today are not being held at the famous Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar. People have been asked to offer prayers at local mosques.
Usually bustling with festivity on Eid, Srinagar's marketplaces are deserted today, with bakeries and sweet shops closed. Shepherds who waited the whole year to sell sheep and goats for the Eid sacrifice said there were no customers.
"In my life of 70 years, I have never seen such a situation when you are facing curbs on Eid day. This is the most sacred day for us and on this day such helplessness, desperation and restrictions," said Zarief Ahmad Zarief, a noted Kashmiri poet and social activist.
Nearly 80 people have been killed and around 10,000 injured in clashes between security forces and protesters that have raged across Kashmir since Burhan Wani, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist with a large following, was killed on July 8.
The decision to impose restrictions on assembly of large number of people has been taken amid fears of fresh violence and a call by separatists for a march to the local offices of the United Nations, official sources said.
The Army, which has been asked to be on standby, will step in if there is a fresh outbreak of violence. Soldiers have already been stationed at vantage points in rural areas which have a history of violent protests, they said.
Helicopters and drones will keep a bird's eye vigil from the skies and give early warning to security forces in case of assembly of people in certain areas, they added.
The government has already ordered shutdown of internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours.
Opposition National Conference slammed the government for its decision to impose curfew, saying it vindicated the party's claim that the Mehbooba Mufti government had no control over the situation.
"The PDP always loves to compare the situation with 2010 agitation but never ever has there been a curfew on auspicious occasion like Eid before," a National Conference spokesman said.
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