Tuesday 12th May, 2026
Srinagar, Mar 8: (UNI) Restrictions were on Friday imposed in parts of summer capital Srinagar, including downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), following a strike called by separatist against slapping of Public Safety Act (PSA) on JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik and arrest spree in the valley, besides banning of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).
A police official on Friday said that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of M R Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safa Kadal and Khanyar in the downtown.
He said restrictions have also been imposed in Maisuma in the civil lines as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem.
However, all the gates of historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers could be offered last week, were closed this morning. A large number of security forces and state police personnel were deployed in the Jamia market and nearby areas to prevent anybody from entering the worship place, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq.
Roads leading to Jamia Masjid have also been closed with barbed wires and vehicles were being directed by security forces to take alternate routes to react to their destinations.
The main Nallahmar road from Tarabal Nawa Kadal to Khanyar crossing has been partially closed for traffic and pedestrian movement. Security forces have closed one side of the road though traffic was allowed to ply from the other side.
A large number of security forces have also been deployed at Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowpora and Bobdamb.
Road leading to Maisuma, stronghold of JKLF chief Malik, has been closed with barbed wire at Red Cross road and security forces have been deployed in strength in the area to maintain law and order.
Additional security forces and state police personnel have also been deployed in the civil lines, including Residency road, Moulana Azad road, historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Budshah Chowk and Jehangir Chowk to prevent any law and order problem.
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) — comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik — on Thursday urged people to hold a complete shutdown on Friday against mass arrests, banning of JeI and alleged attempts to tamper with Article 35-A.