By IANS,
Srinagar : Indefinite curfew was imposed across the Kashmir Valley Sunday ahead of the proposed separatist march called by the hardline and moderate factions of the Hurriyat to city centre Lal Chowk Monday, police said.
Vehicles with loudspeakers were seen in all 10 districts of the Valley at the crack of dawn, announcing that curfew was being imposed and that people remain indoors.
“Those defying curfew restrictions would be dealt with sternly,” the announcement said.
“Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPc (Criminal Procedure Code) would remain in force till further orders throughout the Valley from dawn today,” Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda told IANS.
An assembly of five or more people is deemed as unlawful under the orders.
“This has been done to protect life and property and to prevent miscreants from inciting people to take to violence.
“The situation is being regularly reviewed. These restrictions would remain in force for the minimum possible period,” Khoda said.
The joint co-ordination committee of the hardline and moderate factions of the Hurriyat had Friday called for “a massive public march to Lal Chowk on Oct 6”.
The committee had said that the march “would remain totally peaceful and if the authorities imposed curfew, people would try and defy it without resorting to violence or raising any provocative slogans”.
Authorities have made elaborate security arrangements with police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed in all 10 districts of the Valley.
All roads, lanes and bylanes leading to city centre Lal Chowk have been sealed to prevent the entry of separatist leaders. All entry points into summer capital Srinagar have also been sealed.