Curfew in Shopian, partial restrictions in Srinagar

Authorities continued curfew in south Kashmir Shopian, Kulgam and some other towns of Jammu and Kashmir Friday to maintain law and order.

Tension had gripped Shopian town on Wednesday, when a civilian was killed allegedly in paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing in Gagaran village, adjacent to Shopian town.

Four people were killed Saturday at the same place in CRPF firing.

Three of the slain were later found to be unarmed civilians.

Curfew was imposed in Shopian town Wednesday. It has also been imposed in south Kashmir Kulgam, Kakapora and Khudwani towns.

Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday ordered the shifting of the CRPF camp from Gagaran and its replacement by local armed police.

A probe headed by the district magistrate of Shopian has also been ordered in both firing incidents of Sep 7 and 11.

State police has been directed by the government to submit its investigation report on the firing incidents within 24 hours, so that the government is able to decide whether a judicial probe needs to be undertaken into these incidents.

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has appealed to the people to protest the Gagaran firing incidents after Friday prayers.

Authorities have imposed restrictions in and around Srinagar city centre Lal Chowk, where Pro-Azad Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has announced a sit-in Friday against the Gagaran firing incidents.