Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 28: Amid curfew like restrictions in parts of Kashmir and Valley-wide strike called by separatists, the situation across Kashmir remained tense today a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat was killed by security forces in South Kashmir’s Tral area.
Curfew like restrictions were imposed by authorities in parts of Srinagar and other sensitive places in the Valley to thwart protests. Sabzar, who was killed in Saimoo village of Tral during an encounter on Saturday, was buried this forenoon in his native Rathsuna village. Despite restrictions, thousands of people attended his prayers. Some militants also participated and addressed the people during the funeral.
Police said that the situation remained under control, barring minor incidents of stone pelting at few places. The divisional administration had imposed curfew in Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma police station areas, while restrictions under Section 144 in towns to prevent protests. The authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the Valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has also been snapped as a precautionary measure.
Clashes broke out in Meemander in Shopian and Warpora in Sopore, Trehgam in Kupwara as forces fired teargas shells on protesters to disperse them, while the protesters pelted stones towards the forces, triggering clashes.
The authorities had deployed huge contingents of police and paramilitary forces across the Valley to enforce strict restrictions. Major roads in towns leading to Tral were sealed with coils of concertina.
A police spokesman said here that except for six incidents of stone pelting in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore, situation across the Valley remained peaceful and under control.
“In order to create disturbances, miscreants at these places assembled on roads and pelted stones on police and security forces deployment and also on the vehicular traffic. In Pulwama, a group of miscreants also pelted stones on 182 CRPF Camp at Tahab”, the spokesman said.
“Police and security forces used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation at these places and miscreants were chased away. As a precautionary measure, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in some vulnerable areas to prevent any untoward incident”, the spokesman said.
Authorities today said that the restrictions will continue to be imposed in Kashmir on Monday to “maintain law and order”. Meanwhile, Director School Education Kashmir Dr. G N Itoo said that all schools and colleges will remain closed tomorrow (Monday). “All schools in Kashmir will be closed on Monday”, he said.
Authorities at the Kashmir University today announced the rescheduling of all examinations scheduled on May 29 and 30. “In view of concerns expressed by students due to prevailing circumstances, all Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held on May 29, 2017 (Monday) and May 30, 2017(Tuesday) are postponed,” said a KU spokesman. He said that the fresh dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified separately, later.
The train service between Banihal to Baramulla in North Kashmir remained suspended today. An official said since there was apprehension of fresh violence, train services were suspended to avoid damage to railway property besides passengers. “The train services will be resumed after receiving green signal from the authorities, particularly police”, he said, adding “in the past, railways suffered massive damage to trains, railway stations and lighting system due to violence”.
Shops and business establishments remained closed across Kashmir and traffic was off the roads. Majority of the roads were deserted.
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