Srinagar, Aug 6: Curfew and shoot-at-sight orders might be restricting people to their homes during the day but with the fall of the dusk when the deployment of forces is withdrawn, almost all parts of the Valley, especially the city and towns, witness massive pro-freedom protests which continue till midnight.
 People in many areas, especially for the past one-week, have been assembling in respective Masjids and staging protests against the civilian killings. During protests young boys make use of loud speakers of Masjids to raise pro-freedom slogans.
 They also play pro-freedom hymns over loud speakers till late night.
 “This is the only way we are now left with,” a group of young boys at Nowpora Srinagar said.
 “During day we are not even allowed to buy foodstuff or go near to the Masjids by police and CRPF men, not to talk of the protests. By stating peaceful protests during night, we give vent to our feelings,” they elucidate.
 But the forces, they said, as an act of reprisal, do not allow the congregational prayers in the Masjids during the day, even not on Fridays.
 “A day before yesterday, they entered into lanes and by lanes and ransacked houses and even damaged the vehicles parked on roadsides. They even attempted to beat a muazzin (one who calls for prayers),” said another youth.
 During the past week almost all areas of the valley have seen protests during night.
 During night protests people also do the fund-raising and pool essential foodstuff for distribution among the poor and needy households in respective localities.
 Many localities near the hospitals have been dispatching the food and other essentials to patients and their attendants.
 Since last week relief has been regularly pouring in at SMHS hospital from the nearby localities of Nawab Bazar, Gol Market, Karan Nagar, Fateh Kadal, Kawdara, Maisuma, Zaina Kadal, Batamaloo etc.
 Similarly areas near the SKIMS in Soura have been dispatching relief in the form of food and blood to the institute.
 “For the past four days we have been providing patients and their attendants food. We have also collected blood and sent it to the institute,” said the head of Mohalla Committee Naqashband, Omar Colony B, Lal Bazaar.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST