Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration today announced the imposition of a strict curfew in Srinagar on August 4 and 5 on the occasion of the first anniversary of revocation of Article 370, following intel inputs that separatists and Pakistan sponsored groups are planning to observe August 5 as “Black Day”.
The district administration, Srinagar headed by Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today announced the imposition of strict curfew in the district for the next two days.
An order issued here by the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar read that senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar has reported that a series of inputs have been received suggesting that separatist and Pakistan sponsored groups are planning to observer August 5 as “black day”, so the apprehensions of protests cannot be ruled out. “There are specific inputs about violent protests endangering public life and property,” the order read.
The order further stated that in view of restrictions aimed at Covid-19 containment zones already in place, the movement and assembly of people has been prohibited to avoid the spread of virus, particularly in the wake of recent spurt in positive cases in the UT. “Thus, any such mass gathering would be detrimental to efforts related to Covid-19 containment as well,” the order read.
The report by the SSP Srinagar mentioned in the order further made a case that to prevent such violence and loss of life and property, it is imminent to impose curfew in the district. “Therefore, after having considered the material facts in the SSP’s report and examining the situation in backdrop of prevailing factors, I district magistrate Srinagar by virtue of powers vested in me order complete restriction on public movement/curfew in the territorial district of Srinagar district,” the order read.
“The restrictions/curfew shall remain in force on August 4 and August 5. The restrictions announced to contain the spread of Covid-19 will remain till August 8,” it stated.
-ARK
