The day and night curfew continued for the consecutive forty eighth day across Shaher-i-Khaas. Each locality’s entry and exit points are sealed.
People are desperately adjusting their life to the security regime, spending time discussing politics and playing indoor games.
Roads to Hazratbal are blocked and a heavy contingent of forces manning the roads don’t allow anyone to move.
Forces have erected barricades and concertina wire at Habbak crossing, Nigeen and Malabagh. People buy the vegetables grown in Dal Lake. But in the absence of the supplies from outside, the Dal kitchen gardens are likely to exhaust shortly.
It was first time after decades that Friday congregational prayers were not allowed at Dargah Hazratbal shrine on August 5. On the day joint resistance camp had called for ‘Dargah Challo.’
“Presently, no outsider is allowed to offer prayers in the shrine. Only locals can offer prayers but without using loudspeakers,” said the local people.
The youth in locality pass their time playing Carom and mostly join their elders who keep talking and discussing about the present unrest, history of Kashmir and role of local politicians in past and present.
No Friday congregational prayers have been allowed at historic Jamia Masjid from July 6. The roads are deserted and forces are on roads, to enforce curfew.
The locality is under siege. Barricades and concertina wire have been placed at all entry and exit points including at Main Chowk, Hawal Chowk and Khanyar Chowk.
“In these areas, forces tighten curfew at evening, given the fact that shopkeepers would open shops as per the relaxation call announced by joint resistance camp. The relaxation period announced by them is 6pm to 6am,” said locals.
“People who want to visit neighbor are not allowed to cross the wires placed outside their main gates,” they said.
Heavy contingent of forces are deployed to deny entry or exit to Eidgah and its adjacent areas. Historical Eidgah ground witnessed gathering of more than one lakh people in 2008 on the call of pro-freedom camp, as part of the demand for revocation of order wherein land was transferred to Amarnath Shrine Board.
At Rainawari, all entry and exit points are blocked. Khathidarwaza, Zindshah Masjid and Gurduwara Chowk are sealed since last forty eight days. The locals are not allowed to cross these points.
“In evening, curbs become more strict. The forces turn off street lights and anyone they find is beaten ruthlessly,” said Khathidarwaza residents.
Four days ago, restrictions were lift from Dalgate during day but harsh night curfew remained in place..
“It is around 5:30pm that forces place barricades and concertina wire,” said locals.
“The forces are also restricting supplies of essential commodities to Shaher-e-Khaas as load carriers ferrying these items were not allowed to proceed at Parimpora and Pantha Chowk,” said locals.
“Shaher-e-Khaas is first place to be placed under curfew. On 27 October, 1947, large number of people from Shaher-e-Khaas marched towards to Lal Chowk to oppose the arrival of Indian army in the Kashmir. However, some local leaders urged the procession to return from Gaw Kadal which the procession agreed. At that time, the army had reached Barzulla,” said one of the senior journalists.
“Some historians believe that Indian army could have been forced to return in case the procession from Shaher-e-Khaas had reached Lal Chowk,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone, said all essential commodities are being supplied to Shaher-e-Khaas.
“Earlier, there was no day and night curfew. In fact, for first few days, there were only restrictions. All essential services have been exempted from curfew,” the DC said.
The DC said the High Court has also directed authorities to ensure supply of essential commodities.
“Doctors, paramedical staff, patients and their attendants are also exempted from curfew. We are assessing the situation and decision about relaxation or lifting of curfew would be taken accordingly,” the DC said.
