Jammu and Kashmir: Restrictions in Srinagar, normal life disrupted

Authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in parts of the city as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the wake of a strike called by separatists. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in five police station areas of Srinagar, a police official said. He said curbs were imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safakadal. The official said restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the strike call.

Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), Saturday called for a shutdown in the valley on Sunday against the crackdown on separatists.

The strike affected normal life across the Kashmir valley.

Shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, but some private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in some areas of the city.

The weekly flea market was also shut as no stalls were put on the TRC Crossing-Batamaloo axis through city centre Lal Chowk, the officials said.

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They said similar reports of the shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the valley. 

Earlier, panic has gripped the Kashmir Valley after the government issued several notices, asking residents and officials to stock up on essential items, including ration, petrol, diesel, LPG and medicines, for some time. Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBF) have been ordered to replace the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for static guard duties in Srinagar. The move came after the Union Home Ministry issued the deployment of 100 more companies of central armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The orders asked the people in the Valley to keep a good stock of their medical supplies as the uncertainty looms over Kashmir. The department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, which provides ration to people through its outlets, has directed its staff members in south Srinagar to ensure completing sale of food grains in their respective areas by Saturday evening. They were also directed to keep the ration depots and sale outlets open on Sunday as well.

The order, issued by the zone police headquarters, states the move to give static duties to BSF and ITBP has been taken to strengthen the law and order grid in Kashmir region. According to the police, it is a practice to place new force as static guard outside as the new force is not well versed with law and order. Kashmir saw a similar situation in 1990 when the BSF had taken over the internal security.