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Shutdown continues to cripple life in Valley

February 04, 2010 11:03 IST

Strict security restrictions were imposed on Thursday in parts of summer capital Srinagar where violent protests had been going on for the past four days.

Authorities early this morning moved in heavy police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force reinforcements in areas falling under five police stations in Srinagar.

The security forces blocked major road intersections by coils of razor-fitted wires to restrict pedestrian and vehicular movement.

A senior police officer said that restrictions have been imposed in old city and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is being enforced strictly.

The capital city and other towns were rocked by violence on Wednesday that left 50 persons wounded.

Authorities have detained three senior leaders of the moderate separatist conglomerate All Parties Hurriyat Conference, including Shabir Shah and Naeem Ahmad Khan and placed its chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq under house arrest.

Reports from other towns said that life was paralysed in view of a shutdown on Thursday.

The death of Whamiq Farooq Wani, the 13-year old student on Sunday evening triggered the wave of violent protests across Kashmir. 

Police used baton charges to disperse stone pelting mobs at Batmallo in capital city and in south Kashmir Anantnag town this morning.

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar