Army stages flag march; curfew strictly enforced in Srinagar

The army today staged flag marches in various parts of Srinagar as curfew was strictly enforced in the city and other places in the Kashmir valley, which witnessed violence that had left three people dead.

Requisitioned by the state authorities late last night, the army moved into various parts of the city after its units had stationed themselves in the peripheral areas "in a state of readiness" to extend assistance to the state administration in maintaining law and order.

The government had sought help of the army in the wake of spiralling protests in the city. Curfew was imposed yesterday after three persons were killed allegedly in firing by security forces and it is being enforced strictly.

The Kashmir situation was discussed at a meeting of the cabinet committee on security chaired by prme minister Manmohan Singh.

Government has decided to carry out a crackdown on separatists, enforce curfew strictly, use force in case of any violation to  prohibitory orders and keep the army away from congested areas.

In the afternoon, the state police arrested president of Kashmir Bar Association Mian Qayoom under the stringent Pub clic Safety Act and sent him to Hira Nagar prison in Jammu for two years.

A massive crackdown was underway in various other parts of the valley to arrest all those involved in the present unrest.

Union home secretary GK Pillai also arrived in the city along with director general of military operations, Lt Gen AM Verma to take on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

Immediately upon his arrival, he went into a meeting with state Police Chief Kuldeep Khoda and Commander of 15 Corps Lt Gen G S Marwah. Pillai will also be meeting chief minister Omar Abdullah and top officials.

Curfew was also in force in Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama
and Kulgam in South Kashmir and Kupwara and Bandipore in North Kashmir. Restrictions have also been imposed in Sopore and Baramulla where the Army staged flag marches.

The army was called out in 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 yesterday clashed with security forces at various places. 

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." 

Mohiuddin said, "The district administration thinks that the army is needed to keep calm in the valley. The anger is there".

Police vans fitted with public address system announced imposition of curfew this morning and also advised people to
remain indoors. Curfew passes issues to journalists were
cancelled.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today again appealed to the people to maintain calm and not to violate curfew restrictions.

Meanwhile, state law minister Ali Mohammad Sagar asked 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 protesters, 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.