Srinagar, Aug 4: Strict curfew restrictions were imposed in Kashmir on Tuesday to maintain law and order following intelligence inputs suggesting that separatists are planning to observe August 5,2020 as black day, officials said.
District Magistrates (DMs) of almost all districts in the Kashmir ordered imposition of restrictions for two days from today to prevent protests and other rallies on the first anniversary of scrapping of Article 370 and dividing the J&K into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5, 2019.
The mainstream political parties too had announced to observe August 5 as black day while some had decided to hold rallies against the Centre’s decision alleging it was illegal and unconstitutional. However, the BJP decided to celebrate the day by organizing functions in Kashmir.
Additional security forces and police personnel were deployed to strictly impose the restrictions in the Valley.
In summer capital Srinagar, all main roads were closed and only those having fresh valid curfew pass issued by the DM were allowed to move.
We have strict instructions that only those having fresh curfew passes and medical emergency should be allowed to move, security force personnel told a group of media persons in the down town, where all roads were sealed since early this morning.
Large number of security force and J&K police personnel were deployed in the entire down town and outskirts to prevent any law and order problem.
All roads leading to historic Jamia Masjid were closed with barbed wire. The worship place, has remained closed since March this year in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nallahmar road from Khanyar to Chattabal remained closed for any pedestrian and traffic movement.
However, the road leading to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura through down town was open though only patients and those associated with medical professionals were being allowed to move.
In the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of summer capital, roads wore a deserted look with only security forces and police personnel remaining deployed. The Amira Kadal bridge, connecting Hari Singh High Street (HSHS) with Lal Chowk was closed with barbed wire. The main markets, including Goni Khan and Mahraj Bazar, were also closed with barbed wire.
All roads leading to Maisumawere also closed and large number of security forces remained deployed to foil any attempt to protest.
In the uptown repeated announcements were made by police directing people to remain indoor as curfew has been imposed. The one-tube of fly over from Jehangir Chowk to Ram Bagh was closed for any traffic movement.
Security forces were also seen directing people to return back to their homes at Channapora and Rambagh and other places. However, in some areas some shops were also seen functioning and private vehicles plying.
Life also remained crippled due to restrictions imposed by the authorities in major towns and tehsil headquarters in the north, south and central Kashmir. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road due to restrictions. Large number of security forces remained deployed to prevent any protests.
