Restrictions in downtown, SeK, civil lines lifted in Srinagar

Srinagar: Curfew-like restrictions imposed on Friday in the downtown, Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and parts of old town and civil lines were lifted on Saturday though large number of security force and state police personnel remained deployed to maintain law and order.

However, all gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, which were locked yesterday are open today.

There are no restrictions in any part of the Srinagar on Saturday, police said.

The authorities had imposed Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Safa Kadal, Rainawari and Khanyar in the downtown and SeK besides in parts of old town and civil lines on Friday to prevent any law and order problem following strike called by a faction of Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and traders against Shopian and Kangan civilian killings.

Security forces have lifted all road blocks, including barbed wire from entire Nallahmar road from Nawa Kadal to Khanyar. Besides bullet proof vehicles, parked in the middle of roads and barbed wire at different places, including Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rangar stop, Gojwara have also been removed. However, large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in the entire down town an SeK to prevent any demonstration.

The shops and business establishments are open and traffic was plying on all routes. Educational institutions upto tenth class were also working normally today while Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges remained closed today also.