Srinagar, Nov 30: Curfew crippled normal life in Srinagar for the second consecutive day Friday even as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the summer capital or elsewhere. In view of the improvement in situation, the Government has decided to lift the curfew on Saturday.
The curfew was clamped on Wednesday evening in areas falling under police stations Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal, Khanyar, Rainawari, Nigeen, Lal Bazar, Zadibal and Parimpora after clashes erupted between two groups in Zadibal area of old Srinagar.
All roads in old Srinagar were blocked by police and paramilitary CRPF men. The congregational Friday prayers were not allowed in the curfew-bound areas of Srinagar, with cops confining people to their localities.
A senior police officer Friday evening told Greater Kashmir that the day passed off peacefully. “There was no untoward incident reported from any part of the Valley, including the curfew-bound areas,” he said.
He said curfew will be lifted from old Srinagar on Saturday. “The situation has improved and we are withdrawing the deployment from curfew-bound areas of old Srinagar late Friday evening,” the officer said. “However vigil in these areas shall be maintained and nobody would be allowed to disrupt law and order. In case any untoward incident takes place, required measures will be taken.”

SITUATION
On Friday morning, police made announcement via public address system in old Srinagar asking people to stay indoors and not defy curfew. The police and CRPF blocked all roads leading to old Srinagar from early morning. A huge contingent of cops was deployed to enforce the curfew. Besides blocking the roads with barbed wire, the forces had erected mobile bunkers at many places to restrict movement of people and traffic.
The commercial hub of Lal Chowk witnessed a considerable effect of the curfew as more than 50 percent of shops remained closed throughout the day. The attendance in government offices in non-curfew bound areas of Srinagar was reported to be thin.
In the wake of stringent curfew in Nowhatta here, the congregational Friday prayers were not offered at the historic Jamia Masjid and several other Masjids in its vicinity.
A thick presence of policemen was witnessed in civil lines areas of Srinagar. Police and CRPF men were seen patrolling the streets.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST