SRINAGAR, India: A curfew has been imposed across Indian Kashmir just two days before the first anniversary of New Delhi's abolition of the restive region's semi-autonomy, officials said late on Monday (Aug 3), citing intelligence reports of looming protests.
"These restrictions shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force on 4th and 5th August," stated the government order issued for the main city of Srinagar.
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"Full curfew will be enforced in all Kashmir districts," a senior police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP.
A "full curfew" means people can only move around with an official pass, usually reserved for essential services like police and medical professionals.
Indian authorities have been tightening restrictions across the Kashmir valley since the weekend of Aug 1. (Photo: AFP/Tauseef Mustafa)
The Himalayan region is already subject to restrictions to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus amid a jump in infections, with most economic activities limited and public movement curtailed.
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The order said the separate virus lockdown would be extended until Aug 8.
Police vehicles fitted with megaphones patrolled Srinagar after dark, with officers ordering residents to remain indoors for the next two days.
INCREASED SECURITY
Authorities have been tightening restrictions across the Kashmir valley since the weekend of Aug 1.
Early Monday morning, new razor-wire and steel barricades were used to block the city's main roads.
Residents in other major towns and many villages told AFP that police also ordered them not to venture out of their homes until Thursday.
The curfew is similar to the one introduced just before Kashmir's semi-autonomy was stripped on Aug 5.
Security personnel stand guard outside the grand mosque in Srinagar. (Photo: AFP/Tauseef Mustafa)
A total communications blackout was imposed, with phone and internetRead More – Source
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