Srinagar: Protest march by separatists foiled after authorities impose restrictions

Authorities imposed restrictions in the Pulwama district and parts of Srinagar on Monday where separatists had planned a protest march to the Army's Chinar Corps headquarters against the killing of seven civilians during an encounter on Saturday. The separatists had also called a three-day strike following the incident. Shops, petrol pumps and business establishments were shut. Security personnel were on high alert to prevent any untoward situation. The separatists, under the banner of the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had Saturday asked the people to march to the corps' headquarters at Jammu and Kashmir's Badami Bagh area.

Roads leading to the Chinar Corps headquarters were sealed and restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in Pulwama district and eight police station areas of Srinagar, officials said. Mobile internet was suspended in Srinagar during the night as a precautionary measure, they said. The officials said curbs have been imposed in the territorial jurisdictions of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj and Ram Munshibagh police stations of the city. Partial restrictions were in place in Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations as well, they said.

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The roads leading to the Badami Bagh area have been sealed and no movement of people or transport is being allowed towards the Army installation, they said. The police on Sunday had issued an advisory, saying traffic would not be allowed to ply on Pantha Chowk- Sonwar-Dalgate Road stretch. "People who intend to travel to south Kashmir are advised to take Bypass Road.

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Similarly, people coming from south Kashmir shall take the Bypass Road to reach City Centre. People who have to travel from Nishat and adjacent areas to reach city centre shall adopt Boulevard-Badyari Road," according to the advisory. No traffic would be allowed to ply on Gupkar Road stretch from Grand Place crossing, it said. “Commuters are requested to use alternate routes to reach their destinations. Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted," the advisory issued by Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic (City), Srinagar, read.