Authorities on Thursday continued curfew and restrictions in Kashmir for the 48th consecutive day as the separatists extended the protest shutdown till September 1.
“Curfew will remain in force in Anantnag, Pulwama and Srinagar districts while restrictions will continue in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam and Badgam districts,” a senior police official said.
The death toll rose to 69 after a teenager was killed in clashes with the security forces in Pinglina village of Pulwama district on Wednesday.
Twenty-five people including three police officers were injured when militants who were part of a mob hurled two grenades at the security forces in Pulwama town.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kashmir on Wednesday on a two-day visit where he held a security review meeting with top civil, police, paramilitary, intelligence and army officials.
Before leaving for New Delhi later on Thursday, Rajnath Singh is slated to meet Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and other local delegations at the Nehru Guest House in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, away from the media glare, the Army has taken over the control in all north Kashmir districts and are not allowing the people to move from evening till morning, enforcing strict night curfew.
In Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Handwara and Sopore Army enforces curfew every evening till morning by erecting barricades. Scores of drivers and passengers have faced the wrath of the Army in last more than a week.
In Kupwara town, the local Army unit of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) enforces curfew at 6 p.m and lifts it at 6 in morning. “They announce curfew on public address systems and do not allow us to open the shops,” a functionary of Kupwara Traders Federation told Kashmir Post. “Till 6 a.m, we cannot venture out.”
The Army has also stopped the movement of vehicles which used to ply on inter-district routes during the night. They also stop movement in Trehgam, Kraplora, Lolab and Ramhall areas.
The vehicles for Srinagar, Baramulla and other areas used to leave from Kupwara town after 8 p.m in view of the ongoing strike since July 9.
“They erect barricades outside town, Drugmulla and several other places and stop our movement,” Abdul Rashid (name changed), a TATA Sumo driver told Kashmir Post. “They have beaten our drivers and damaged the vehicles.”
Pertinently, ambulances from north Kashmir have also stopped ferrying patients during the night because of curfew imposed by the Army. The Army also close down several gates, adjoining their camps to stop the movement of people during night.
Similar is the situation in Baramulla, Sopore, Handwara and Bandipora areas of north Kashmir. In these towns, Army announces curfew in the evenings. “The Army parties close roads at Kanispora, Sagrama and at several other places to stop the movement of the people during the night,” said a member of Baramulla Transporters Association. “About a week ago we used to ferry the passengers to different places during the night.”
In the Sopore town of Baramulla district, Army erects barricades at Seelo to stop traffic from Kupwara and Handwara. They also close down the main Sopore bridge and by-pass to stop the movement of traffic during the night.
In Bandipora district the Army erects the barricades at Saderkote, Safapora, Watlab and some other areas to stop the movement of people.
A top police official said that Army has taken the step of stopping the movement during night in consultation with police. “In other words, we have sought their assistance. We want people to move during the day,” he said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, north Kashmir, Uttam Chand said that every step is being taken for betterment of people. “Our prime concern is betterment of people. So the measures for the purpose are there,” he told Kashmir Post.
