Normal life continued to remain affected in Kashmir Valley in response to separatist groups’ repeated shutdown calls which began in the second week of July. Even as signs of normalcy emerged in capital Srinagar with increasing number of vehicles hitting the roads and vendors surfacing on roadsides in defiance of the strike call, the separatists issued a fresh version of their weekly “protest calendar” asking people to hold marches, sit-ins and protest rallies.
Educational institutions, shops, industries and offices are shut in Kashmir since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani’s killing triggered massive protests in the Valley.
The authorities have launched a massive crackdown to arrest stone-pelters and local leaders who have been organising protests. Many of them have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
There was no curfew in any part of the Valley but heavy deployment of security forces reflected the tension in the air. The authorities sounded alert in capital Srinagar on Tuesday on inputs that militants might strike civilians to disturb peace.
Police used tear-gas canisters and pellets to disperse a large number of protesting youth who had blocked the Srinagar-Bandipora road during late hours at Panzinara area in the outskirts of Srinagar city. Meanwhile, a grenade was hurled at the residence of ruling PDP’s legislator from Shopian late on Tuesday night. Police said the grenade exploded within the compound of the house of Mohammad Yousuf Bhat’s residence at Memander area of the district shortly before midnight.
There was no report of any damage or loss of life, they said.
“My sources told me that these exercises are being held to fake the so-called surgical strikes carried by Army,” he asserted. “I warn you in advance that if Government releases any footage about the September 29 surgical strikes, the footage will be fake which was made in leepa Valley in last three days.” He said that army has set up fake targets in leepa valley and exercises are being held there.
‘Army carrying out fake exercises near loC’