Restrictions continue in parts of Srinagar over Shia protests

Restrictions continued in the areas falling in the jurisdiction of the Zadibal and Rainawari police stations on the second consecutive day today.
Restrictions continue in parts of Srinagar over Shia protestsRestriction on movement of civilians and traffic were first imposed in areas falling in the jurisdiction of the Rainawari and Zadibal police stations on Monday and continued for the second day today, said Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Lone.
Lone, however, said the situation remained under control and restrictions were likely to be lifted on Wednesday.
Officials said the decision to continue restrictions in these areas was taken as a precautionary measure as there was apprehension of protests by the members of the Shia community.
Shias had held protests at several places in the Kashmir valley on Sunday against the execution of a cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia.
The Shia cleric was executed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, triggering protests in the Shia-dominated pockets of the Kashmir valley.
The protesters had also clashed with the police at several places, including Rainawari and Zadibal in Srinagar, resulting in injury to a senior police officer.
Meanwhile, normal activities resumed in Budgam district after two days of shutdown against the execution of the cleric.
The execution of al-Nimr, a Saudi national who had participated in the ‘Arab Spring’ protests in 2011, along with 46 others, including Shia activists and Sunnis accused of involvement in deadly Al-Qaeda attacks, was announced by the Saudi interior ministry. The announcement triggered a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
(With inputs from PTI)

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