SRINAGAR: Restrictions will be enforced strictly on Friday morning in central Kashmir’s Budgam district besides parts of summer capital Srinagar to prevent violent protests, authorities say.
Fridays are significant in the Muslim-majority valley as worshippers offer their afternoon prayers in large congregations.
Senior separatist leaders have called for a shutdown to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru and also to demand the return of his body for burial here in the valley.
Authorities have many a time in the past ordered such restrictions but then imposed an “undeclared” curfew in the valley.
An official spokesperson said the district head has ordered restrictions to be imposed in Rainawari, Khanyar Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, S.R. Gunj, Zadibal, Soura, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Shaheed Gunj and Batmaloo areas from midnight February 21.
However, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district – which has a significant Shia population – restriction will be imposed as authorities fear violent protests over the recent killings of Shias in Pakistan.
Sectarian clashes are rare in the valley, where the majority are Sunni Muslims.
But the authorities fear a repeat of the summer uprising in 2010 during which at least 111 people, mostly young men, were killed in police or paramilitary firing.
Pertinently, the uprising erupted on June 11, 2010 – a Friday.
A teenager had died after he was hit by a tearsmoke shell lobbed by the police during a usual protest.
