Authorities tighten Kashmir lockdown
SRINAGAR: Authorities on Sunday tightened a month-long security lockdown in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar after breaking up religious processions by locals who defied a ban.
A military clampdown was imposed in Kashmir from August 5 to prevent unrest as New Delhi revoked the disputed region’s autonomy, with mobile phone networks and the Internet still cut off in all but a few pockets.
Police drove around the city from early on Sunday, announcing through loudhailers that “residents are informed not to venture out of their homes”.
“Strict action under law would be taken against violators,” they added.
Most processions have been banned in Kashmir since the outbreak of insurgency in 1989, on grounds that the rituals could be used to stoke anti-india sentiment.
Locals said the processions have taken on a political aspect this year after India’s controversial autonomy decision.
On Saturday, four local journalists were injured while covering a protest involving up to 5,000 demonstrators, one of the biggest gatherings since the lockdown was imposed.
One journalist said his camera lens was broken and another had visible marks on his body after he was allegedly hit with bamboo sticks by security personnel.
Security forces also fired tear gas and live ammunition in the air.
Authorities had loosened the curfew in parts of Srinagar gradually in recent weeks but began to enforce it again from on Friday.
Sunday’s clampdown was one of the tightest since August 5. While barricades had been manned by up to three paramilitary troopers, there were now up to 10.
The tightened security measures came a day after the national security advisor said the lifting of communication restrictions in Kashmir depended on neighbours stopping deploying “terrorists” and fomenting unrest there.