Curfew in entire Kashmir Valley on Eid; surveillance by choppers, drones

Srinagar: For the first time in many years, authorities on Tuesday imposed curfew in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley on Eid even as helicopters and drones have been pressed into service for surveillance.

Restrictions on assembly of large number of people have been imposed in view of the call by separatists for a march to the local offices of the United Nations today, coinciding with the global body's Opening of 71st Session of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York today.

The Army, which has been asked to be on standby, will step in if there is fresh outbreak of violence in the Valley, which has been witnessing widespread unrest for over two months leading to death of over 75 people so far, official sources said.

Army troops have already been stationed at vantage points in rural areas which have a history of violent protests, they said, adding curfew came in force from midnight.

This is probably for the first time that curfew is in place on the day of Eid festival ever since militancy broke out in the state in 1990.

Helicopters and drones are keeping a bird's eye vigil from the skies. They will give early warning to security forces in case of assembly of people in certain areas, the sources said.

Security forces are out on the streets in adequate strength following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who often use women and children as "shields" during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties.

This is for the first time in 26 years since the onset of militancy that no Eid congregations will be held at the Idgah and Hazratbal shrines here. The sources said that people will, however, be allowed to offer Eid prayers in local mosques.

The government has already ordered shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state.

The decision to completely ban Internet services was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the state on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha festival, the sources said.

They said Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone and Reliance telecom have been ordered to shut down their services with immediate effect for 72 hours. The BSNL too has been asked to stop its broadband services for Internet.

However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said.

Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet.

Opposition National Conference slammed the government for its decision to impose curfew, saying it vindicated the party's claim that the Mehbooba Mufti government had no control over the situation.

"The PDP always loves to compare the situation with 2010 agitation but never ever has there been a curfew on auspicious occasion like Eid before," the National Conference spokesman said.

Authorities have indefinitely suspended all mobile Internet facilities in five districts of Jammu region in order to thwart any rumour mongering.

The authorities have asked various mobile service operators across Jammu region to suspend mobile Internet facilities in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi district of Jammu province, an official communique issued to mobile service operators read.

The suspension of the mobile Internet services have been put into effect from 4 am today till further orders. The step has been taken to avoid any law and order problem in the region and spread of rumours. The authorities have also issued instructions to mobile phone operators including the state-run BSNL to suspend its landline based broadband services in the five districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu province.

"In view of the present security scenario in Jammu province, there is every apprehension that anti-national elements can create law and order problem for the police, administration for their vested interest", the communiqué read.

Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force said three of its personnel have been injured in stone-pelting incidents since yesterday. "3 CRPF personnel injured & 1 CRPF vehicle damaged in 23 incidents of stone pelting involving the force in the Kashmir Valley in past 24 hrs," the force said in a tweet.