Curfew reimposed in Kashmir valley

Curfew was reimposed in several parts of the Valley on Friday to thwart a separatist march to Batamaloo. The march was to protest the recent killing of civilians by security forces.  Protestors clashed with police at Galwanpora and several other parts of Kashmir. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel patrolled streets. Concertina wires were placed at different locations to restrict movement. “Curfew was clamped in Sopore and Handwara and there were restrictions in some parts. By and large, the situation was peaceful in the Valley,” IGP (Kashmir range) Farooq Ahmad said. Hurriyat hardliners had asked people to wear white cloaks and march to Batamaloo, where three civilians were killed by security forces on July 6. The killings sparked protests, prompting the Omar Abdullah government to call in army to enforce curfew and restore law and order. Kashmir has remained shut for 31 days since clashes began on June 11.

While some Kashmiris have been religiously following the week-long protest calendar issued by separatists, others are participating for fear of the hardliners.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah requested people to cooperate with the government in restoring normalcy.

“The common man, including traders, transporters, hoteliers, shikarawalas, patients and students, are suffering due to strikes called by various organisations,” he said.