Life remained crippled for the fifth consecutive day on Friday across Kashmir valley as a curfew like situation prevailed in the old city, while separatists observed a strike in rest of the valley to reciprocate Pakistan observing "Solidarity Day for Kashmiris".
Fearing trouble during the Friday prayers under the aegis of moderate Hurriyat Conference, police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to thwart any attempt by people to take out processions after the prayers, officials said.
While residents of the old city alleged that police and paramilitary force personnel did not allow them to come out of their houses as curfew was imposed for the second successive day today, a police spokesman said "curfew has not been imposed in any part of the city but prohibitory orders have been enforced strictly."
Although no restrictions were imposed in Civil Line areas, barring Batmaloo and Maisuma, but all shops, business establishments, banks, courts and private offices remained closed while public and private transport were completely off the roads in uptown city.
The situation took an ugly turn on Monday after the death of 13-year-old Wamik Farooq in a teargas shelling on Sunday in the old city.
{{/usCountry}}The situation took an ugly turn on Monday after the death of 13-year-old Wamik Farooq in a teargas shelling on Sunday in the old city.
{{/usCountry}}Nearly 350 people, including 55 police and paramilitary personnel, have been injured in the clashes between stone pelting youth and law enforcing agencies in the past four days in the valley.
Moderate Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, placed under house arrest yesterday, said, "We express our gratitude to Pakistan, observing Solidarity Day for Kashmiris."