Restrictions imposed in Srinagar over separatists' protest march call

Restrictions were put in place today in seven police station areas of the city to foil a protest march to Zainakote planned by separatists in the wake of the killing of a youth last week during an action by security forces.

Restrictions were imposed in Parimpora, Maisuma, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal and Khanyar police station areas as a precautionary measure, a police official said.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had given the call for a protest march to Zainakote as part of the fourth day observances following the death of Gowhar Ahmad Dar on Saturday, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state.

Dar was killed in security forces' action while dealing with a stone-pelting mob in the area.

The authorities had placed separatist leaders under house arrest or preventive detention ahead of the prime minister's visit. These leaders have not been released so far, the official said.

The restrictions disrupted normal life in the Valley as many areas of the city witnessed a shutdown while inter- district traffic between Srinagar and Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kupwara was affected.

Dar, an engineering student, was hit by a tear gas shell on his head as police tried to disperse a stone-pelting mob near his Zainakote residence on Saturday evening. He succumbed to injuries at the hospital.