Restrictions in parts of Srinagar against civilian killings

SRINAGAR: Authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in parts of summer capital Srinagar to thwart a protest-call by joint separatist leadership against civilian killings in Kashmir valley.

Separatist activists and a mainstream politician held protests in some parts of the valley where restrictions were not imposed by the government.

The police imposed restrictions in old parts of Srinagar including areas like Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, MRGunj and Safa Kadal while partial restrictions also remained in force in Maisuma and Kralkhud.

Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was placed under house detention, strongly denounced curbs in downtown and other areas of Srinagar.

He condemned the authorities led by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of “being anti-Muslim and crossing all limits of repression” by “barring” Friday prayers at the central Jamia Masjid for the 18th Friday this year.

Separatist leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for mass protests after congregational Friday prayers against the “killing of civilians including two women who left behind two infants, indiscriminate use of pellets, vandalising properties and blinding innocent youth”.

Misra Bano and Beauty Jan, both mothers of infants, were killed after being hit during gunfights between security forces and militants on December 11 and 19 respectively. Asif Iqbal, a sumo driver out to take a neighbor to hospital, was killed by army on December 16 during a night ambush in what police said was a case of “mistaken identity”.

While JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was taken into custody by police, his supporters took out a protest rally in Maisuma after congregational Friday prayers.

Holding placards depicting photographs of civilians killed recently, the protesters marched towards Budshah Chowk and staged a peaceful sit-in there, a spokesman of JKLF said.