Strict curbs imposed in Valley on anniversaries of Molvi Farooq, Gani Lone

Srinagar, May 21: Authorities on Friday tightened the Corona Curfew in Srinagar and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of anniversaries of Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Ghani Lone, which is being marked on May 21 in Kashmir.
Witnesses said that the authorities tightened the curbs in order to restrict the movement of the public and thwart any gatherings.
They said that the strict curbs were put in place and public movement towards downtown Srinagar was restricted as nobody was being allowed to move toward the area.
Witnesses said that police and paramilitary troops were deployed in large numbers to enforce the lockdown restrictions.
“The barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement,” they said.
Notably, on May 21 Molvi Mohammad Farooq was killed at his Nageen Lake residence while Abdul Gani Lone was killed on the 12th death anniversary of Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq at Eidgah in Srinagar. Meanwhile, media men were barred from covering the downtown situation.
A group of photographers who were on their way to the Old City were stopped at Bishember Nagar and Baba demb area and were told “there are directions from the top not to allow anyone towards downtown.”
Moreover, a statement issued reads that during the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 248 persons, lodged 96 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,38,240 from 1055 people for violating the guidelines and rules throughout Kashmir.
“Besides, five shopkeepers were also booked by police in Budgam for violating Covid-19 norms,” police said, adding that the special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said.