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Curfew clamped on Srinagar’s old city areas
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 28
The government today imposed curfew restrictions in areas falling under nine police stations of old city, apprehending sectarian clashes amidst rising tension.

The curfew has been imposed in areas under Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Khanyaar, Rainawari, Nigeen, Lal Bazar, Zadibal and Parimpora police stations. The authorities are keeping an eye on the situation.

“Curfew has been imposed this evening as we apprehend sectarian clashes,” said Srinagar District Magistrate Baseer Ahmed Khan. “We will assess the situation tomorrow and take further decision depending upon the situation.” The situation was under control, he added.

Tension prevailed in many parts of the old city as protests were held against an alleged act of desecration at Magam in Budgam district on Tuesday.

Reports said scores of youths assembled in Hawal locality of the old city and staged a protest. Protests were also held in the Saidakadal area of the city.

Minor clashes were also reported at Zadibal. A police spokesperson said they had taken cognizance of skirmishes between two communities in the Zadibal area.

“The civil and police administration are monitoring the situation. There are no reports of anybody getting injured. But sporadic incidents of stone pelting have been reported,” he said.

Nearly 30 youths were reportedly detained by the police in the volatile Nowhatta area of the city.

“The police is investigating the matter and those found innocent will be released. Allegations regarding ransacking are incorrect,” the police spokesperson said.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has condemned the act of sacrilege and termed it the handiwork of agencies. “The agencies want sectarian divide in Kashmir,” he said in a statement.

Act of desecration

Protests were held against an alleged act of desecration at Magam in Budgam district on Tuesday.

Scores of youths assembled in Hawal locality of old city and staged a protest.

Minor clashes were also reported at Zadibal

The civil and police administration are monitoring the situation

Militants gun down CRPF constable
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 28
A CRPF constable was killed in a militant attack in Bemina locality on the outskirts of Srinagar last night.

Praveen Singh Rajput of 73 battalion was on sentry duty when he noticed some suspicious movement outside the camp at 2 am. The jawan challenged the persons who fired 5-6 rounds towards the camp prompting retaliation,” said CRPF spokesman Sudhir Kumar.

Rajput, who hailed from Madhya Pradesh, was hit in the chest and he succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, he said. The suspected militants fled the spot taking advantage of darkness, said the spokesman.

Soon after the shootout, CRPF launched a manhunt in the area to trace the culprits. This is the second killing of a security force personnel in the Valley in less than 10 days. On November 20, militants had gunned down a Special Police Officer in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town.

Militant outfit, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the CRPF camp. A caller introducing himself as spokesman of the outfit said the members of the outfit attacked the CRPF camp in Bemina on Thursday morning.