Curfew, shutdown paralyzes life in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Life across Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday remained affected for the second straight day in wake of curfew imposed by the authorities to prevent protests over killing of four civilians and alleged desecration of holy Quran (Islam's holy book) at the hands of Indian border guards. Four civilians were killed and 44 others wounded after Indian border guards on Thursday fired at civilians in village Dadam, Gole of district Ramban, around 155 km south of Srinagar. The restrictions were imposed by hundreds of India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and policemen deployed in the localities in full riot-gears. These men blocked roads by placing barricades and coils of concertina wire to restrict movement of people and vehicles. The region's separatistd on Thursday called for a three-day shutdown ending on Sunday. Shops, banks, schools and most government offices remained closed in wake of restrictions and shutdown. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of Kashmiris. Separatists in Indian-controlled Kashmir have been demanding end of New Delhi's rule in the region. According to officials restrictions will remain in force until Sunday. "Whether curfew would be imposed or not is a secondary question, but one thing is clear that restrictions on the movement of people would be there for at least three days (until Sunday) when the strike would be over," a Srinagar based news gathering agency quoting Director General of Police Ashok Prasad as saying. A police spokesman on Saturday said the situation was under control and police was exercising maximum restrain while dealing with protesters. "The night passed off peaceful and situation throughout valley is peaceful at this hour," the spokesman said. "The deployments of police and CRPF are exercising maximum restraint." The spokesman said 59 people were injured in clashes on Friday at different places."The injured included 49 police and CRPF personnel and 10 civilians," the spokesman said. "All the injured are stable." The authorities have also suspended the annual Hindu pilgrimage to Amarnath for a second day in the wake of the prevailing tension. The local government and Indian Home Ministry have ordered inquiries into killing of civilians in BSF firing. Pakistan has expressed its"deep concern"over the killings in Indian-controlled Kashmir and called for a thorough and proper investigation to be carried out expeditiously. "Such acts incite violence and hurt the sentiments of Muslims not only in Pakistan but all over the world," read the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan. "We have noted the comments of the Indian leadership to carry out an investigation into the incident." Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.