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Srinagar under security blanket for separatists' rally

November 21, 2008 14:53 IST

Strict security measures were imposed across Srinagar on Friday to foil anti-poll protests by the separatists while a senior police officer was injured in a powerful militant grenade attack at Sopore in north Kashmir on Thursday night.
 
Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the city and roads in the old city have been sealed to restrict the movement of people.

 Poll preparations in J&K in full swing


 Shops, government offices and educational institutions remained closed while both public and private vehicles stayed off the roads.

 "Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC are strictly being enforced in Srinagar," said a senior official.
 
The separatist coordination committee, in a statement on Thursday, had urged the people to follow a 'shutdown' to hold anti-poll protests after the Friday prayers.

high voter turnout during the first phase of polling


 The campaigning in the two constituencies of Ganderbal and Kangan in north Kashmir, which go to polls on Sunday, ends today evening.
 
Meanwhile, Shafeeq Ahmad, station house officer of Sopore police station, was injured in a powerful grenade explosion on Thursday night.
 
The police said that militants fired a grenade at the police station which exploded, resulting in injuries to the police officer, who was rushed to the Army base hospital.

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Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar