Restrictions in Srinagar to foil Shopian protest march

Authorities today imposed curfew-like restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital to foil the separatists' call for a Shopian march today.

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A cop fires tear gas at protesters during a protest against the death of two women who were allegedly raped and killed by soldiers in Srinagar.PIC/AP

Authoritiesu00a0today imposed curfew-like restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital to foil the separatists' call for a Shopian march today.

Before his arrest on Saturday, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani had asked the people to resume their normal activities from Tuesday and called for a march Monday to Shopian town - where two women were raped and killed on May 30 - to "express sympathies with the family".

Authorities moved reinforcements of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) into the capital city to foil the separatist attempts to march to Shopian.

Though police have now filed a fresh FIR after the forensic science laboratory report confirmed 17-year old Asiya Jan and her 22-year old pregnant sister-in-law Neelofar Jan were raped, tension continues to grip the valley.

Life continues to remain paralysed in all the major and minor towns of the valley in view of the continued strike. Shops are closed and traffic is off the roads. State government offices, banks, and educational institutions are shut in the city and other towns.

Security is high in the south Kashmir Pulwama and Shopian towns where police and paramilitary forces are on alert in view of Monday's march call.

Police arrested a woman separatist leader, Zamrooda Habib along with some of her supporters Monday morning while protesting the Shopian incident.

Official sources here said that there were no reports of any protests yet, though the situation continues to remain tense.

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