Srinagar, June 14: Curfew-like restrictions continued for the third day running in old Srinagar on Monday even as a complete shutdown was observed across the Valley in response to the call of Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference against the killing of teenager Tufail Matoo by a police shell last week.
Authorities foiled the Saidakadal march called by the Hurriyat as they continued to impose restrictions in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of five old city police stations. Several Hurriyat leaders were placed under house arrest for the day. All roads leading to Saidakadal- the residence of the slain teenager- were blocked by placing barricades and concertina wires by police and paramilitary CRPF who were deployed all across the old town since early morning.
The restrictions were severe than the past two days as no one was allowed to move out of their homes especially in the volatile areas of Rainawari, Saidakadal, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Kawdara.
However, protests erupted in several places in the uptown Srinagar including Chattabal, Bemina and Maisuma where youth protested against the killing. They fought ding-dong battles throughout the day with police and CRPF. The former pelted stones while later repeatedly cane charged them.
Elsewhere, a complete shutdown was observed with shops, businesses, banks, courts, educational institutions remaining closed. The work in most government offices was affected. The public transport services remained suspended for the third consecutive day; only a few private vehicles could be seen plying on the roads in uptown areas.
Meanwhile, several Hurriyat leaders were kept under house arrest on Monday. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was kept under house arrest at his Nigeen residence since morning. Hurriyat (M) leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan and its spokesman, Shahid-ul-Islam, was also restricted to his Sanat Nagar residence.
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai of Hurriyat (G), Zamrooda Habib of Muslim Khawateen Markaz; President, J&K Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akbar Bhat were also put under house arrest.
However, Chairperson, Dukhtaran-e-Millat Asiya Andrabi along with her supporters and Pir Saifullah of Hurriyat (G) managed to reach the Saidakadal residence of 17-year-old Tufail where they expressed solidarity with the family.
Normal life came to a halt in North Kashmir districts and townships of Sopur, Varmul, Bandipora, Handwara, Kupwara and Ganderbal as complete shutdown was observed in response to the Hurriyat call.
Scores of people took to roads in Bandipora and staged protests in response to the call by Hurriyat (G). Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the youth clashed with police and CRPF personnel in main town of Bandipora and adjoining areas. The cops resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse the protesters who responded by hurling bricks and stones.
Activists of Hurriyat (G) took out a procession and marched in the main town Varmul against the killing.
Similar reports poured in from south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Shopian, Islamabad and Kulgam.
Markets and offices, mainly in towns, remained closed while the inter-district transport remained suspended.
Reports of protests were received from Khudwani in Kulgam and a few places in Islamabad town.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST