Restrictions in parts of Srinagar, Shopian

Srinagar, Feb. 2 (PTI): Authorities today imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Shopian districts to foil the separatists’ plan of holding a rally to protest against the recent civilian killings in alleged Army firing. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership, had called for a march to Shopian district to protest against the killing of three civilians in alleged Army firing on stone-pelters there January 27. While Geelani and Mirwaiz were placed under house arrest, Malik reportedly managed to reached Shopian. However, officials neither confirmed nor denied Malik’s presence in Shopian. Restrictions were imposed in areas falling under police stations Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Maharajgunj and Safakadal in Srinagar, officials said. They said restrictions were also imposed in some parts of Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations in the city. Restrictions on movement of people and transport were imposed in Shopian district as well, they said, adding that essential services had been exempted.