Srinagar: Restrictions continued to be in force across the Kashmir valley for the second day on Friday as a precautionary measure following the death of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, officials said. Restrictions on the movement and assembly of people remained in force across the valley, they added.
The officials said the curbs were intensified in downtown (old city) and some uptown parts of the city here in view of the Friday congregational prayers. While the roads leading to Geelani’s residence in the Hyderpora locality here remained sealed, barricades were put up in other areas to stop the movement of people, they added. Security forces have been deployed in strength in the city and elsewhere to maintain law and order, the officials said. Mobile phone services except for the postpaid connections of BSNL continued to remain snapped, while mobile internet services also remained barred to avoid rumour-mongering. Internet services are working on fixed lines, but the network speed has been throttled. The officials said a review of the situation will be done after the congregational prayers and a decision will be taken on whether to lift the restrictions or not.
Police said the situation across the valley was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. IGP, Kashmir Vijay Kumar appreciated the cooperation of the public in maintaining the peaceful situation throughout Kashmir, “which defeated the ill designs of the inimical elements who are hell-bent on disturbing the otherwise peaceful atmosphere in the valley”.
