The government on Tuesday imposed curfew in Srinagar, a day before the first anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5 last year, ruling BJP government at the centre divided the erstwhile state into union territories of J&K and Ladakh.
The decision to impose the curfew was taken at a core group meeting of police, army and intelligence agencies operating in the Kashmir Valley. The meeting was co-chaired by General Officer Commanding 15 Corps B S Raju and Director General J&K Police Dilbag Singh. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole also attended the meeting.
Announcing the curfew, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary by citing a report from Senior superintendent of Police of the district had said that a series of inputs have been received suggesting that “separatist and Pak sponsored groups are planning to observe 5th August as Black Day, therein apprehensions of violation action or protests are not ruled out.”
However, on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy commissioner issued a fresh order, lifting the curfew with immediate effect.
“Whereas, Sr Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, vide communication No. CS/150-20/9389-91 Dated 03.08.2020 submitted a detailed report recommending imposition of restrictions/curfew in District Srinagar for 4,h and 5th August 2020 in view of credible inputs therein viz a viz law and order maintenance. Pursuant to review of incident-free situation on 4th August 2020, and further reports received in this context, the matter has been re-examined, and it has been decided to remove the restrictions,” he said in the fresh order. “In view of orders issued earlier by the District Disaster Management Authority certain restrictions are already in place in view of COV1D containment necessitated due to recent spike in cases,” he said, adding, “Therefore, I, District Magistrate, Srinagar, by virtue of powers vested in me u/s 144 CrPC hereby directed that the restrictions, including curfew, imposed vide this office order No DCS/PS/20/L&O-4 shall be lifted with immediate effect.”
Further, he said, the precautionary orders/measures already notified in view of COVID-19 containment on July 31 viz-a-viz market establishments and other activities in line with the SOPs issued shall continue.
“There shall be complete lockdown in containment/Red zones of district,” he said, adding, “There shall be restrictions on movement of more than 03 persons.”
Also, shops and business establishments shall remain closed and public transport shall remain suspended except essential goods.
In the meantime, he said, the restrictions previously ordered on July 31 on account of Covid-19 shall continue thereafter till 8th August “unless revised earlier.”
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that tough restrictions shall continue shall in all parts of the Kashmir today
.