Army on Wednesday staged flag marches on the main roads of curfew-bound Srinagar after it was moved into the city to assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order. This is the first time in two decades that Army conducted flag march to maintain law and order in the city. A Defence spokesman said, the flag marches were conducted in Lal Chowk in the heart of the city and on the Srinagar Airport Road. The official said that the army is willing to conduct flag marches in down town Srinagar if it is required.
The state government had sought the help of the army in the wake of violent protests that had left three persons dead.
Curfew is still in force in Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir and Kupwara and Bandipore in North Kashmir. Restrictions are also in force at Sopore and Baramulla where Army also staged a flag march.
The army was called out on the streets of Srinagar late last night to enforce the curfew keeping in view the non-availability of adequate number of police personnel, many of whom have been deployed for Amarnath Yatra and counter-insurgency operations.
Speaking on the army deployment, Junior defence minister MM Pallam Raju said in New Delhi that the army would remain deployed in Srinagar as long as necessary but government would like it to be short.
Protesters had yesterday clashed with security forces in various places including Maisuma, Habbakadal, Fateh Kadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Barzulla, Braripora, Tatoo Ground, Hyderpora, Baghat, Rambagh and Jehangir Chowk, leaving many people injured.
Police vans fitted with public address system announced imposition of curfew this morning and also advised people to remain indoors. Curfew passes issues to journalists were also cancelled.
In order to control the unrest and protest Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday arrested Mian Qayoom, President of Kashmir Bar Association, under the stringent Public Safety Act. Qayoom has been sent to Hiranagar Prison in Jammu for two years.
