Restrictions lifted, life returns to normal in SeK, downtown Srinagar

Life returned to normal on Wednesday in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown, Srinagar, where restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure in view of an encounter in which two Lashar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were gunned down by security forces near a CRPF battalion headquarters at Karan Nagar area of the city.

A CRPF jawan was also martyred and a police constable was injured in the 27-hour-long encounter, which ensued after alert sentry challenged militants and foiled a fidayeen attack on the camp on Monday morning.

There are no restrictions in any part of the city today, police said, adding that the restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safa Kadal and Khanyar in the downtown and SeK since Tuesday morning as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem. Restrictions were also imposed in some areas under the jurisdiction of police station Kralkhud in the old city and Maisuma in civil lines.

All gates of historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers could be offered last three successive weeks, are open. The gates of the worship place were closed yesterday to prevent any demonstration. Shops and business establishments which were closed due to restrictions yesterday in restricted areas are open and traffic was also plying on all roads as security forces had removed barbed wire.

The main Nallahmar road from Tarabal Nawa Kadal to Khanyar crossing, which was closed for any traffic or pedestrian movement yesterday, was open today. Nakas and other road blocks on roads, leading to Maisuma, have also been removed.

However, security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in the civil lines, including Residency road, Moulana Azad road, historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Budshah Chowk and Jehangir Chowk to prevent any law and order problem.