Curfew imposed in Srinagar to foil separatist rally

Authorities imposed curfew-like-restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar to foil a rally by the separatist Awami Action Committee headed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq on Friday.

The rally had been organised to observe the 50th anniversary of the party founded by late Miwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of Moulvi Umar Farooq.  Moulvi Umar also heads the moderate group of the separatist conglomerate, All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force troops were spread all over the old city areas in the morning to enforce the restrictions and thwart the rally which was to begin after Friday prayers and culminate at an uptown park in the heart of the capital city.

The park in the vicinity of the city centre Lal Chowk has been sealed and both pedestrian and vehicular movement restricted in the area.

 Security forces are enforcing the restrictions in some uptown areas also, affecting life in the city.

Mirwaiz had visited the rally venue on Thursday along with his supporters.

The pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has called for a shutdown and call to march to Lal Chowk on Monday.

Image: Kashmir security personnel stop vehicles in Srinagar. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com