Authorities today clamped curfew in Srinagar city and imposed restrictions elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley after mobs went on a rampage attacking two police stations to protest killing of four persons allegedly in firing by security forces.
Curfew was clamped in eight police station areas—Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta in old city, and Maisuma, Batamaloo and Kralkhud in civil lines area - in view of the violent protests and stone pelting incidents in many parts of Srinagar last night, police sources said.
As reports of overnight protests came in from other areas, the curfew was extended to the entire city, they said.
Srinagar ditrict magistrate Ahmad Kakroo said that restrictions on the movement of the people has been imposed across the city.
"We are monitoring the situation and will take a decision as per the requirements of the situation," Kakroo said.
All curfew passes issued by the district administration were cancelled last evening. However, fresh passes were issued to employees working in essential services departments and to mediapersons.
The sources said youths came to the streets of Nowhatta in down city soon after the 'Taraweeh' special prayers during Ramzan and started pelting stones at the local police station.
Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters but in vain. They, then resorted to firing in the air to chase away the mob, the sources said, adding no one was hurt in the incident.
Similar protests were also held in Rajouri Kadal, Karan Nagar and some other areas in the old city and Rawalpora and Maisuma areas in the civil lines area.
One person was injured in police action against protesters at Karan Nagar after the police station there was set on fire, the sources said.
Police have imposed severe restrictions under section 144 CrPC on the movement of the people in other nine districts of the valley as a precautionary measure to prevent any further loss of the life or damage to the property.
The late night protests erupted in the city over the fresh killings at Palhalan in Pattan area of Baramulla district.
Four persons were killed and 12 others injured yesterday when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob that had attacked inspector general of police SM Sahai's convoy in Pattan area.
Police have initiated an enquiry into the incident.
The valley was rocked by violence following the death of a teenager on June 11 after he was allegedly hit by a tear smoke shell near Rajouri Kadal area of the old city.
With yesterday's deaths, the toll in the ongoing unrest has now gone up to 69.
