27 August 2016

News Story: Authorities foil separatist march to Martyrs graveyard in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The authorities on Friday imposed strict curfew and restrictions to foil separatist march to main Martyrs graveyard in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials and locals said.

The restrictions were enforced by thousands of Indian policemen and paramilitary troopers belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) across almost all the major towns in Muslim majority areas of the region including Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Wearing full-roit gears and carrying automatic rifles, these men deployed along the deserted roads and alleys blocked main roads by laying down steel barricades and coils of concertina wires to restrict movement of people.

"The curfew has been extended to entire Srinagar and Pulwama besides towns of Shopian, Anantnag Baramulla, Pattan and Handwara," a police official said. "Restrictions have been placed at other places as a precautionary measure."

Friday's lockdown was tightened to stop gathering of people near Martyrs graveyard in the Eidgah grounds (an open field restricted for Eid prayers) on the call of region's separatist groups.

Read the full story at Xinhua