Kashmir: Curfew during Eid after 26 years

Almost 80 people have been killed and around 10,000 injured in clashes between security forces and protesters that have raged across Kashmir since Burhan Wani, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist with a large following, was killed on July 8.

“There would be restrictions in place”, said a senior government official, posted in Srinagar, without explaining.

Today, Kashmiri separatists are scheduled to march to the United Nations Military Observers Group India Pakistan (UNMOGIP) Office in Srinagar, the state capital.

All phone services were suspended on Monday evening even as the shutdown continued for the 66th day and later broadband Internet facility on fixed landlines was also stopped.

“Moreover, the already-placed high-resolution video cameras at vantage positions will monitor the streets, markets throughout Srinagar city and other major towns of Kashmir for real-time monitoring of the situation as well as for recording the events/subversive elements, if the need arises”, the spokesman further said.

The mood in the Valley is sombre with most of the shops remaining shut on the occasion of Eid.

Only security forces personnel were seen in front of these shops.

The internet services in the restive Kashmir Valley has been suspended again by the government amid fresh tensions. There are reports that round 50 people have been injured across the Valley in various incidents. The decision to completely ban the internet was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation, sources said.

In a statement, Amnesty International said that Indian armed forces are using arbitrary and excessive force in response to protests in Occupied Kashmir, violating international standards and worsening the human rights crisis in the territory.

He added, “India is violating global standards and worsening the human rights crisis in the state”.

The statement quoted media reports of September 2, saying, “India’s Ministry of Home Affairs approved the use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide shells – a chilli-based munition – as an alternative to pellet-firing shotguns, to be used only in “rare” cases”. Clashes were also reported at Batamaloo in Srinagar after prayers were offered.