Restrictions in parts of Srinagar for third day

SRINAGAR: The authorities continued to impose restrictions in some parts of Srinagar for the third consecutive day to scuttle any protest after the Friday congregations in wake of the recent killing of militants.

The restrictions under section 144 were imposed in old city, also to avoid any congregation at the house of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sajad Ahmad Gilkar, who hails from Nowhatta area near Jama Masjid.

Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on the streets who had erected concertina wires on all link roads leading towards Jamia Masjid to halt the vehicular and pedestrian movement. Meanwhile, this was fourth consecutive Friday, when authorities barred people from offering mandatory congregational prayers at historic Jamia Masjid here.


Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who continues to be under house detention since past four weeks, strongly denounced the government for barring him from offering Friday prayers. “The government has crossed all limits of authoritarianism and flouted every basic principle of democracy,” said Mirwaiz.

Also, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday flew to New Delhi where she was likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.