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Police tighten security as protests continue in Kashmir
Authorities on Friday imposed strict security restrictions in the old city, ordered closure of all educational institutions, jammed mobile and internet services and deployed thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers to maintain law and order in the valley in view of the call for protests against the anti-Islam film.
A spontaneous complete shutdown in capital Srinagar and other towns crippled normal life in the valley. However, no organisation had called for a shutdown on Friday.
Friday's bandh shut businesses, shops in Srinagar and other towns, and attendance in government offices and banks was very thin.
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Police tighten security as protests continue in Kashmir
The hard-line separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for peaceful post Friday prayer protests against the anti-Islam film.
Security forces in full riot gear moved into the areas falling under seven police stations in the old city early on Friday to enforce an undeclared curfew.
No movement was being allowed in the old city, according to local residents.
Police tighten security as protests continue in Kashmir
Skeletal public and private transport was seen plying on the streets heavily patrolled by police and paramilitary, central reserve police force (CRPF) troops.
Authorities also withdrew mobile phone and internet services before the weekly Friday prayers as a precautionary measure.
Security forces used tear smoke and resorted to baton charges to disperse scores of burka-clad women activists of 'Dukhtarani Milat' protesting against the anti-Islam film.
Protests were also held in other parts of the city and towns.
Police tighten security as protests continue in Kashmir
The state government also ordered closure of all educational institutions in Kashmir valley.
The valley has been tense for over a week now following daily protests and clashes over the anti-Islam film.
Meanwhile, the state government has ordered suspension of downloading or uploading of content from all internet portals with regard to video, message, comments and excerpts of the video, according to an official statement.
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