Curfew in Kashmir as protesters plan ‘black day’

Indian government imposed curfew across Kashmir Valley today as authorities apprehended violent protests in view of reported plans by separatists and Pakistan-sponsored groups to observe August 5, the first anniversary of revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, as a "black day."

Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in strength at the vantage points across the valley and police vehicles, fitted with public address systems moved around announcing imposition of strict curfew for two days, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Security barricades have been set up at many places, including Srinagar city, to regulate the movement of essential services and emergencies, officials said.

The authorities had announced yesterday that curfew would be imposed in Srinagar and other parts of the valley.

An order issued by Srinagar district magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said any mass gathering would also be detrimental to efforts of battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, medical emergencies and movement of staff on Covid-19 duty with valid cards has been exempted from the restrictions, the order said.

On August, 2019, the Indian government scrapped the special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the constitution and divided the state into two federally-ruled territories -- Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

Several political leaders were detained or arrested and some of them are still under house arrest, including former Chief Minister and People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti who remains in detention.

Another former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who heads National Conference party, political rival of PDP, was freed on March 11 this year after nearly eight months in detention.

People's Conference party chief Sajad Ghani Lone was freed from detention on July 31.