Strict enforcement of restrictions, amid allegations of police excess

By Shayib Bhat

Srinagar

Dozens of complaints have come to the offices of media outlets and newspapers from common people in Srinagar claiming that police was not allowing even the people have genuine emergencies to move on the streets. Police and security forces were seen on Wednesday enforcing curfew like restrictions Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir.

Although authorities have said that essential services were exempted from these restrictions, allegations of stopping of people linked to essential services are pouring in from all parts of Kashmir. From some districts, there are reports that no vehicle was being allowed to move on the streets by police and security forces.

This reporter saw all shops closed and people were trying buy the essential items, but were being chased away by police. The shopkeepers were not allowed to open their shops on Wednesday in Srinagar city, resulting in lot of chaos and confusion.

Many people told this reporter that they could purchase even milk as the vehicles carrying to Srinagar city were stopped from entering into the city.

Police has already said that they were enforcing restrictions for the safety of the people and have appealed people to cooperate and stay indoors. They have also cautioned people not to bring the restrictions and said that they will file FIR’s and arrest the violators.