Restrictions lifted in SeK, down town Srinagar after two days

Restrictions were imposed on Friday morning to prevent any violence following call by separatists to hold protests after Friday prayers against braid chopping incidents. The separatists later called for a general strike on Saturday against government and police failure to control the braid chopping in the valley, where over 150 such incidents were reported during the past about two months.

The main gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, which remained closed for the past two days were open on Sunday. However, due to restrictions, no Friday prayers could be offered during the last three weeks in the Masjid.

Police said there were no restrictions in any part of the city on Sunday. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed since Friday morning as a precautionary measure in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police station MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal and Rainawari in the SeK and down.

Similar restrictions remained also imposed since Friday morning in Kralkhud in the old city and Maisuma, stronghold of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in the civil lines.

Shops and business establishments reopened this morning and people were out doing their normal business.

Traffic was also plying on all routes as security forces and police had removed all road blocks and barbed wire.

Milkmen and vegetable sellers, who were restricted to enter the restricted area from outskirts, were busy doing brisk business this morning.