Srinagar, July 22 (IANS) Authorities continued restrictions in the Old City areas here Thursday to foil separatist sit-ins and protests in this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Restrictions are in place in Old City and uptown Batmaloo and Maisuma localities,’ a senior police officer said here.
‘The restrictions are of a preventive nature to protect the lives and property of civilians from anti-social elements,’ he added.
Educational institutions, banks, post offices, shops and business establishments remained closed in the areas under restrictions in Srinagar city. Public transport went off the roads.
Restrictions continued in north Kashmir’s Sopore and Baramulla towns too.
The separatist Hurriyat headed by hardliner Syed Ali Geelani has called for sit-ins and protests across the valley Wednesday and Thursday to press for the release of arrested separatist leaders.
The sit-ins and protests are part of the group’s ‘Quit Kashmir’ programme.
People living in restricted areas have been complaining of acute shortage of essentials including milk, medicines and edibles.
‘Shopkeepers have already exhausted their stocks,’ said Mehmood Ahmad, a resident of Old City.
Since June 11, 14 people have been killed across the valley in firing incidents during clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces here.
