Curfew imposed in Baramulla, restrictions continue in Kashmir

Curfew was today clamped in Baramulla town of North Kashmir, which witnessed protests over the drowning of a student, even as authorities terminated the services of a policeman accused by locals of pushing him into the river.

Elsewhere in the Valley, curfew continued to remain in force in adjoining Sopore town besides restrictions of the movement of people in Srinagar and Budgam districts.

"Curfew was imposed in Baramulla today as a precautionary measure", police said.

Defying restrictions, people of Baramulla had yesterday staged demonstrations and clashed with law enforcing agencies demanding action against security forces allegedly involved in the death of Class VII student Faizan Ahmad Buhroo, who drowned in river Jhelum during a clash between police and protestors, and 25-year-old Fayaz Ahmad Khanday in a firing incident.

Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Bhat said an FIR has been lodged by the family of Faizan, who drowned on Saturday. His body was fished out on Monday.

"A probe would be launched to ascertain the cause of his death. All the persons whom the family suspects are responsible for Faizan's death will be called for an investigation", he said.

He said the facts about Monday's firing incident in which Khanday was killed are also being collected. "Once the evidence is collected, a probe would be initiated, if necessary", Bhat said.

Police said the government has terminated the services of special operation group personnel Tanveer Ahmad alias Kaka, whom people had accused of pushing Faizan into the river.

"He has been terminated from the services after we received complaints against him", police said.

The step was taken after a three-member ministerial team visited the violence-hit town yesterday and directed the district administration to ensure that there is no loss of lives during protests.

Public Health Minister Taj Mohiuddin, Law Minister A M Sagar and Agriculture Minister G H Mir also appealed to people to maintain calm and help the district administration in restoring peace.

Officials said hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in Baramulla this morning to strictly enforce curfew.

In Srinagar, there was no restriction on the movement of people in civil line areas but prohibitory orders were strictly being enforced in old city areas falling under police stations of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Bemina and Parimpora.

Meanwhile, life continued to remain disrupted in the Valley due to the week-long shutdown called by the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by jailed leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on July 17 to protest killing of several youths in the past one month.