Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Sept 12: Government has decided to impose curfew across Kashmir on the occasion of Eidul Adha to prevent violence as separatists have called a protest march to the United Nations Military Observers Office in Srinagar tomorrow after the prayers.
A high level security meeting of the top brass of Police, Central Para-Military Forces, intelligence agencies and civil administration was held in Srinagar this evening in which decision to impose curfew across Kashmir valley was taken.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, Home Secretary, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Director General of Police, K Rajendra, Additional Director General of Police CID, SM Sahai, heads of intelligence agencies, IGP CRPF and top officials of other para-military security forces.
The meeting decided to impose curfew across Kashmir tomorrow and put entire Valley under aerial surveillance of drones and helicopters to keep an eye on the situation.
“It was decided to put all the places under aerial surveillance by pressing UAVs into service to keep track on subversive elements and miscreants. Choppers fitted with hi-tec gadgets will keep surveillance all over the Valley”, said a top security official.
The official said that high resolution video cameras will be fitted at vantage points across Kashmir to monitor the markets and other places in major towns of Valley and Srinagar city. He said that these cameras will be used for real time monitoring and will record the events.
The official said that it has become imperative to impose strict curfew and aerial surveillance to prevent loss of life and property in view of a separatist march to the UNMOGIP Office in Srinagar. It may be mentioned here that separatist Hurriyat Conference has called for march to UNMOGIP after Eidul Adha prayers and have asked people to offer prayers at 8.30 am across Kashmir.
Earlier, Government snapped the BSNL broadband internet and mobile phone services across Kashmir valley to prevent fresh violence on Eid. Postpaid mobile phones of BSNL are working, but outgoing call facility on pre-paid phones continued to remain suspended.
The Broadband services have been snapped for the second time since July 9, a day after the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani.
Authorities today sealed Eidgah Srinagar and Anantnag where large Eid congregations are held every year. Police have directed the residents across Kashmir not to offer Eid prayers in open spaces.
A police spokesman said here this evening that a high level security meeting was convened at Police Control Room, Kashmir to review security arrangements for Eidul Azha. “The meeting was attended by the top brass of J&K Police, Civil Administration, Intelligence Agencies and Central Armed Paramilitary Forces”, the spokesman said.
“In the meeting it was decided to impose curfew throughout Valley to prevent mass gatherings which may resort to large scale violence in the wake of so called “UN Chalo ” call floated by some elements. This has become imperative to prevent the loss of life and property”, the spokesman said .
The spokesman further said: “It was also decided to put all places under aerial surveillance by pressing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) into service to keep tab on the activities of miscreants and subversive elements. It was also decided to press choppers, fitted with high tech gadgets, into service to keep surveillance all over the Valley.”
“Moreover, the already placed high resolution video cameras at vantage positions will monitor the streets, markets throughout Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley for real time monitoring of the situation as well as for recording the events/subversive elements, if the need arises”, the spokesman said.
In the meantime, curfew like restrictions at a few places and shutdown paralysed life in Kashmir for the 66th day today.
Curfew like restrictions were today imposed in parts of Srinagar to prevent clashes and protests. Police and security forces were patrolling the streets in sensitive areas across Kashmir.
Shutdown was observed across Kashmir with shops and commercial establishments, petrol pumps, school, colleges remained closed and traffic was off the roads for 66th day today. However, in the evening shops opened in many areas of Srinagar including Lal Chowk and people were seen busy in shopping. The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended for 66th day today.
In Wayil area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, residents tried to carry out a protest march but they were intercepted by the security forces. They pelted stones at the security forces who fired tear smoke to disperse them.
Protesters tried to block Srinagar-Leh highway near Thune village. However, police and security forces reached the spot and chased away the protesters.
A protest rally was organised in south Kashmir’s Tral area today. People from Batgund and its adjoining villages assembled at a playground and held a peaceful protest rally. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
Police today arrested a youth from Bandipora’s Nusoo area during a day time raid. The youth has been identified as Ajaz Ahmad Dar, 20, of Nusoo. Protests were also reported from Bandipora and Sopore.
A protest march was also carried out in Sopore area of North Kashmir during which reports said that militants opened fire on a police man injuring him in the leg.
A police spokesman said here that some hooligans blocked Booru Nagam road in Chadoora, Budgam. “One civilian Mehraj-ud-din Chopan son of late Mohammad Subhan Chopan wanted the miscreants to remove the obstructions and clear the road as he had to carry an elderly person. The hooligans in return beat him up and he suffered serious injuries in his head. He has been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment in a critical condition”, he added.
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