Curfew in Srinagar to thwart Hurriyat's 50th anniversary march

Authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of the old city of Srinagar to thwart a proposed march by the moderate Hurriyat Conference even as they placed its chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest. "Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed as a precautionary measure in five police station areas of the city," a police spokesman said. The areas thus covered are Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and MR Gunj, he added.

Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest along with several fellow leaders. "Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence early in the morning. Several other leaders like Abdul Gani Bhat, Aga Syed Al Safvi Al Mosvi, Molvi Abbas Ansari and Shahid-ul-Islam, too, have been placed under house arrest," a Hurriyat spokesman said.

Mirwaiz had called for a march towards the city centre on Friday where he was scheduled to hold a public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir Park to celebrate 50 years of the Awami Action Committee, a religious organisation founded by his late father, Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq.

Normal life was affected in the city due to the restrictions with shops in some areas remaining closed. However, transport services were plying normally on all routes except in the areas where the restrictions are in force.