Curfew imposed in Kashmir Valley on Wani's death anniversary

Authorities on Saturday imposed curfew at many places and suspended the Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir Valley to ward off violence on the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Curfew was imposed in areas under the jurisdiction of five police stations -- Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal -- in old city Srinagar.

Curfew has also been imposed in Tral town of Pulwama district, the native town of Wani, who was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Kokernag area of Anantnag district last year.

Restrictions have also been imposed in Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Baramulla, Sopore and some other towns to prevent separatist called protest.

In uptown areas of Srinagar and other places in the valley where restrictions were not imposed, shops, public transport and other businesses remained closed and very little private transport was seen on the roads.

The only movement on these roads was that of the security forces maintaining vigil.

Lt General D. Anbu, the GOC-n-C of Northern Command, and Lt. General J.S. Sandhu, Corps Commander of Srinagar based Chinar Corps, on Friday visited south Kashmir areas to review security situation.

Three soldiers were injured on Saturday when militants fired at an army petrol party in Bandipora district.

The police said the area has been cordoned off and searches were on to trace the militants.

No pilgrim was allowed to move towards the valley from Jammu on Saturday as authorities said the ongoing Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the day.

Train services between Baramulla and Bannihal town were suspended.

All exams scheduled for Saturday by the University of Kashmir have been cancelled.

Internet services on both mobile phones and fixed landline broadband connection also remain suspended for the second day on Saturday.

Authorities said this was done to prevent spread of malicious propaganda by anti-national elements on social networking sites.

Given the massive unrest triggered last year due to Wani's killing, authorities have beefed up security to ensure that situation remains under control.

At least 94 civilian protesters were killed and over 200 lost vision partially or completely due to pellets fired by the security forces to control unruly mobs during the 2016 unrest.

The unrest lasted for 53 days during which normal life, businesses, tourism and education remained paralysed in the valley.

--IANS

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