Alleging that withdrawal of curfew from Srinagar was a hogwash, Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, said that the ‘J&K administration and police prefer to cage the people in Kashmir without leaving a paper trail’.
“Last night’s order withdrawing curfew was hogwash. When it comes to collective punishment, J&K admin & police prefer not leaving a paper trail & yet ensure people are caged by imposing an unofficial curfew,” Miss Mufti, who is handling the official twitter handle of her mother and PDP president since her detention under PSA last year, wrote.Miss Mufti was responding to a tweet from a Kashmir-based photojournalist, which read, “Strict restrictions in Srinagar even Ambulance are not allowed to cross the barbed wire.”
The photojournalist had also posted a photograph in which vehicles, including an Ambulance, besides pedestrians could be seen standing on a road that is closed with barbed wire in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, reacting to another tweet, where a lone BJP worker could be seen in a photograph hoisting tri-color in Lal Chowk in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, she said, “With restrictions on the overwhelming majority in J&K who want to peacefully protest, police & admin organises curated photo ops of a select few hoisting national flag.”The Srinagar administration late last night withdrew the two-day curfew imposed in the city from Tuesday morning. The curfew would have otherwise gone on till Wednesday night.Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhury in an order issued late on Tuesday evening said that the administration had decided to prematurely end the curfew after assessing the situation in the area.
However, he said restrictions ordered on July 31 under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Disaster Management Act in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation will remain in force. “Restrictions will continue on movement of more than three people, and shops and commercial establishments will remain closed,” the order read.The DC asked people to avoid public gatherings as an important part of the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. He also urged the general public to ensure strict compliance with all guidelines and protocols.Dr Choudhury had issued an order on Monday imposing curfew in Srinagar, citing security concerns as the reason. “A series of inputs have been received suggesting that separatist and Pakistan sponsored group are planning to observe 5th August 2020 as Black Day and that apprehension of violation action or protests are not ruled out,” the order had said.