SRINAGAR: A security clampdown and a strike sponsored by Kashmiri leaders fighting against Indian occupation Monday shut most of Held Kashmir a day after deadly protests and fierce fighting killed 16 fighters and four civilians.
Armed police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear fanned out across the region Monday and are patrolling streets in anticipation of anti-India protests and clashes.
Authorities have also clamped a curfew in the old parts of Srinagar, the urban centre of protests and clashes against Indian occupation. Shops and businesses remained closed in other areas where no security restrictions were in place.
Kashmiri leaders who challenge India’s occupation over Kashmir had called for a shutdown on Monday against the killings.
Authorities shut schools and colleges and cancelled university exams in an attempt to stop protests by students. They also stopped train services and cut cell phone internet services in the most towns, and reduced connection speeds in other parts of the Valley, a common government practice aimed to calm tensions and prevent anti-India demonstrations from being organised.
Troops laid steel barricades and coiled razor wire on roads and intersections to cut off neighbourhoods as authorities anticipated widespread protests.
The authorities on Monday decided to keep schools and other educational institutions closed on Tuesday even as the Kashmiri leaders extended the strike by one day. Officials of the Education Department said the schools will remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure to avoid any law and order problem. They said a decision on re-opening of schools will be taken after assessing the situation on Tuesday.
Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday said the protest shut down will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, a spokesman of the JRL said.
At least 17 fighters and three Indian army soldiers were killed in Sunday’s fighting in three gun battles in the southern Kashmir where young Kashmiris have challenged New Delhi’s occupation with guns and effective use of social media.
As the fighting raged, massive anti-India protests erupted in several parts of Indian-held Kashmir and at least four civilians were killed and dozens injured in the latest round of anti-India protests.
In recent years, Kashmiris, mainly youths, have displayed open solidarity with anti-India fighters and sought to protect them by engaging troops in street clashes during military operations against them. The protests have persisted despite the Indian army chief warning recently that tough action would be taken against stone-throwers during counterinsurgency operations.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, which in recent years has seen renewed attacks and repeated public protests against Indian occupation.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.
Published in Daily Times, April 3rd 2018.
