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| Un-declared curfew continues for second day in Palhallan, people not allowed to offer prayers | | More than one dozen people injured in clashes so far | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: For the second consecutive day life remained crippled in Palhallan area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district due to the undeclared curfew imposed by the authorities on Saturday evening following protests against arrests in the area. The situation is tense in the area and the people are quite agitated over the arrests.
Clashes had erupted in the area on Friday following the arrest of some persons including the local Imam by a joint team of Army and police. Authorities have decided not to allow the locals to perform Shab-i-Qadr in the local Masjid while fearing more protests during the night and tomorrow morning. Although, there were no fresh clashes today in the curfew-bound area, but the tension continues to prevail in the area.
Reports said that police since wee hours today through Public Address System (PAS) that curfew continues in the area and people should not venture out of their houses. Following this huge posse of police, paramilitary and army personnel could be seen moving in the area to enforce the curfew in the area.
The large deployment of police, CRPF and Army remained station thought the day on main roads and on internal areas of the village to foil any attempt of the people to hold protest demonstrations. However, despite curfew some youths shouted slogans against the government and demanded immediate release of arrested persons. However, due to large contingent of police deployed in the area the protesters did not get any chance to proceed towards Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and carry out organized protest demonstrations.
Schools, colleges, shops and other business establishments remain closed in the Palhalan town-ship due to undeclared curfew. The interior and adjoining areas of Palhallan area also witnessed a complete shutdown in response to shutdown call give by local Mohalla committee.
Police and security forces made regular announcements through PAS asking people not to come out from their respective homes as the shoot and sight orders have been issued against the violators of curfew. Donning riot gear and carrying assault rifles, troopers and police enforced strict curfew. All roads leading to Palhallan village were sealed by troopers and police with barbed wires. Troops had blocked many roads and intersections leading to the volatile areas with the armored vehicles to prevent people from taking to streets and staging protests against the imam's arrest. Mobile bunker vehicles were parked at major junctions while concertina wires were laid to stop the movement of people on the roads and entry points. The undeclared curfew was imposed by the personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG) of police and CRPF troopers in Palhallan after clashes triggered by the arrest of a shopkeeper Nazir Ahmad Tantray of Bhat Mohalla, Palhallan. Nazir, who is also an imam, was arrested from his shop from main market on Saturday afternoon. Many local residents alleged that soldiers didn't allow them to offer prayers at the mosques. They also alleged that some people were beaten up when they ventured out of their houses. During the overnight clashes yesterday, eyewitnesses said at least 16 people, including 10 cops and troopers sustained injuries. Police and security forces used batons and smoke shells to foil the protest demonstrations. |
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