Curfew imposed in Kashmir valley after 4 protesters killed

SRINAGAR, INDIA (BNO NEWS) – Indian police forces on Tuesday imposed a rigid curfew in the city of Srinagar, India-controlled Kashmir's main city, after troops killed four protestors.

Authorities also imposed restrictions in the Kashmir Valley after two police stations were attacked in protest to the killing of four individuals by security forces.

The curfew was clamped in eight police station areas, Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta in old city, and Maisuma, Batamaloo and Kralkhud in civil lines area. Overnight protests triggered the extension of the curfew to the entire city.

Thousands of policemen and India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in full-riot gear have been deployed along the streets and roads to enforce restrictions. Barricades have been laid on roads and intersections to restrict civilian movement.

On Monday, violent demonstrations ended with four protestors killed and at least 13 people injured after clashes with Indian security forces in the troubled Himalayan region. Tear gas and warning shots were allegedly fired to disperse protestors.

The mostly Muslim Kashmir region has witnessed anti-government demonstrations and clashes for the past three months. So far, 69 civilians have been killed in the civil unrest against the Hindu rule.

Police investigators have launched an inquiry in order to fix responsibility in the killing of the four civilians on Monday. In the past, human rights groups have denounced such investigations as weak moves to calm public anger.

Violence erupted in the Kashmir valley following the death of a teenager on June 11. The 17-year-old boy was fatally hit by a tear smoke shell near Rajouri Kadal area of the old city.

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