Curfew in Kashmir, Army stages flag march in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 7 -- The Army on Wednesday moved into curfew-bound Srinagar to assist the civil authorities in maintaining law and order and staged a flag march on airport road after violence had left three people dead. The flag march was conducted on the Srinagar Airport Road from 10:30 am, a defence spokesman said.

The state government had sought the help of the army in the wake of spiralling protests in the city. Curfew imposed on Tuesday after three persons were killed allegedly in firing by security forces is being strictly enforced in the city. Curfew was also in force in Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir and Kupwara and Bandipore in North Kashmir. Restrictions were in force at Sopore and Baramulla where Army also staged a flag march.

The army was called out on the streets of Srinagar late last night to enforce the curfew keeping in view the non-availability of adequate number of police personnel, many of whom have been deployed for Amarnath Yatra and counter-insurgency operations, official sources said. Protesters had on Tuesday clashed with security forces in various places including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Barzulla, Fateh Kadal, Braripora, Tatoo Ground, Hyderpora, Baghat, Rambagh, Jehangir Chowk, Maisuma, and Habbakadal, leaving many people injured.

On the deployment of the army in Srinagar, state minister and Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin said, "We requested the army to help us in maintaining peace. Peace is our first priority. They will be the supportive force we need for keeping peace. "The district administration thinks that the army is needed to keep calm in the valley. The anger is there," he said. State Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar asked the people to respect the curfew restrictions.

"We will strictly implement the curfew restrictions. Government will try its best to restore normalcy. We are trying our best to normalise the situation," he said. Referring to stone-pelting protestors, he said, "Some elements, some agencies were getting the youths on the roads for implementing their political agenda. So we are trying our best to control the situation. It is just the question of saving the people from this situation".

The state government has advised deputy commissioners throughout the valley to enforce prohibitory orders in their respective jurisdiction. They have also been instructed to impose curfew wherever necessary, an official spokesman said. Police vans fitted with public address system announced imposition of curfew this morning and also advised people to remain indoors.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had appealed to the people to maintain calm and not to violate curfew restrictions.
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