Handwara firing: Kashmir remains tense, mobile internet suspended

Srinagar: Curfew-like restrictions continued for the second day in parts of Kashmir and mobile internet services were on Thursday suspended in some areas as tension prevailed in the Valley following killing of four persons in action by security forces during violent protests since Tuesday. Strict restrictions have been imposed in Kupwara town, Kralgund, Handwara, Magam and Langate areas in north Kashmir to maintain law and order, a police official said. He said the restrictions were imposed following death of three persons during protests against alleged molestation of a girl by a soldier in Handwara town on Tuesday. Another youth was killed in Drugmulla area of Kupwara during protests against the Handwara incident on Wednesday. Restrictions also continue in six police station areas of Srinagar city where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting were reported through the day yesterday, the official said. He said the affected police station areas include Safakadal, Maharajgunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Maisuma. Normal life remained affected in the Valley due to a strike call by separatist groups. Markets remained closed while public transport was off the roads due to the strike. Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in north Kashmir areas to curb the menace of rumour mongering, the official said. Although the situation in most of the Valley has been peaceful so far, isolated cases of stone-pelting have been reported from some parts including south Kashmir's Kulgam town, he said. A cab driver was injured in a stone-pelting incident in Kulgam, the official said.