Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 14: Curfew like restrictions were imposed in several areas of Kashmir including Srinagar city to thwart any protests and shutdown, which paralysed life in the Valley for 98th consecutive day today while 63 persons were arrested on charges of stone pelting and fomenting trouble.
Meanwhile, Government has decided to restore the pre-paid mobile services in Kashmir from tonight.
A police spokesman said here that the pre-paid mobile services in Kashmir will be restored from tonight with the improvement in the situation.
The pre-paid mobile services were suspended in July this year due to security reasons after widespread protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani on July 8. However, the mobile internet that was also suspended due to security reasons remained shut.
Shops, business establishments, petrol pumps, educational institutions were closed while public transport also remained off the roads. However, private cars were plying in parts of Srinagar and some shops were also open in some areas of Srinagar. The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended for last 98 days due to shutdown.
For the 14th consecutive Friday today, authorities didn’t allow congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid.
Clashes broke out in Barzulla area of Srinagar and at Sabzi Mandi this afternoon. Security forces fired tear smoke to disperse the stone pelting protesters. The clashes at Barzulla were going on till late in the evening.
Clashes were reported from Bandipora town in North Kashmir when a protest march was carried out from Gulshan Chowk area of Bandipora after Friday prayers. Security forces fired tearsmoke to disperse the protesters.
In Hajin area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district clashes erupted when people of the area hurled stones at Army Goodwill School during which security forces fired teargas to disperse protestors. However, no civilian was injured.
Clashes erupted in Baramulla after security forces fired teargas on a protest rally taken out from old Eidgah after joint Friday congregational prayers.
Clashes erupted between security forces and protesters in Kakapora area of Pulwama district during which 10 civilians were injured. Protesters pelted stones on security forces deployed in the area which was responded by teargas shelling.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir, barring stray incidents of stone pelting, situation across the valley remained by and large peaceful today. “Adequate deployment was made in the sensitive areas across the Valley as a precautionary measure,” it said.
The statement said that incidents of stone pelting were reported from Sabzi Mandi in Srinagar, Naina Chowk in Anantnag, Khudwani Bypass in Kulgam and Tarzoo, Main Chowk in Sopore. “At these places, miscreants in their attempts to disrupt the situation assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security force deployments,” it said.
The statement said that greater movement of people and vehicular traffic was observed in Srinagar city as also in other parts of the Valley. “Public transport was also seen on various roads connecting towns and villages,” it said adding Muharram processions were taken out from various places today as well which culminated peacefully.
The statement said that in its continuous drive to curb the activities of the trouble-mongers police arrested 63 such individuals during past 24 hours involved in disrupting the public order in different parts of the Valley.
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