Curfew-like situation in Valley amid planned protest

SRINAGAR: A curfew-like situation prevailed in the Kashmir Valley today as troops were deployed in strength to thwart a planned protest march by separatists to "formally" announce their anti-poll campaign.
 
The restrictions were imposed by the authorities as the separatist Coordination Committee had announced that it would "formally" announce their anti-poll campaign and march towards Jamia Masjid in protest against atrocities against Muslims in Jammu in 1947 the wake of Partition.
 
However, officials at the Police Control Room said no curfew has been imposed and that security has been beefed up in the city to prevent any law and order problem.
 
All roads leading to the historic Jamia Masjid in interior city were sealed and people heading to their workplaces were checked by security personnel.
 
Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest on Wednesday, while most of the leaders of the Coordination Committee and other separatists have been already arrested.
 
In view of the restrictions imposed by the authorities, all shops, business establishments, schools and other educational institutions remained closed in the city and elsewhere in the Valley, official sources said.

Meanwhile, Kupwara and Baramulla district administrations have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144.
 
Prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed in these districts for two days (November six and seven), an official announcement quoting the district magistrates said.