District magistrate Srinagar on Thursday said restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC will remain in force under jurisdiction of police stations Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safa Kadal in Srinagar on July 7 (Friday) as a “precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.”
Section 144 bars assembly of four or more persons at a particular place.
Ahead of first death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, the Tral area in Pulwama district is all set to be declared out of bounds for people to thwart any freedom gatherings there.
A senior police officer said elaborate security arrangements are in place to prevent any sort of pro-Burhan gathering at Sharifabad, the native village of the slain Hizb commander.
“All security agencies are working in close coordination to ensure no major gathering takes place anywhere in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts. The special focus is obviously on Tral,” he said.
Residents of Tral told Kashmir Post over phone: “We could see police and forces’ vehicles moving around in large numbers which gives a sense that major deployment is being made on Burhan’s anniversary. Tral looks like a garrison.”
They said all vehicles, especially motor-bikes, are being thoroughly frisked at various check points set up by police and Central Reserve Police Force.
Army’s Casper vehicles were also seen guarding various points on Srinagar-Jammu highway.
The government forces have set up ‘nakas’ at Pantha Chowk, Sempora, Pampore, Kadlabal, Drangbal, Bijbehara, Anantnag town, Kakapora, Pulwama and in other areas of Anantnag and Pulwama districts.
“Youth travelling on bikes are being stopped. Their bikes are being seized and they are being told to collect these after July 17,” Ali Muhammad, a resident of Pulwama said.
An official said army has already deployed two battalions specifically for “law and order” purposes in Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts.
Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPc shall be imposed in Pulwama district to prevent protests on the first death anniversary of militant commander Burhan Wani, officials said on Thursday.
In an order, district magistrate Pulwama said restrictions would remain imposed across the district from Friday “until further orders.”
“The restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed to maintain peace and public order and to safeguard life and property in the district,” he said.
“However, the restrictions shall not apply to the emergent situations relating to medical exigencies and other situations where the magistrate in-charge shall deem that such movement is expedient,” read the order, adding: “The restrictions shall remain imposed from dawn to dusk.”
