The police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in the entire city so as to keep the situation under control. Local residents in the old city said that they are not being allowed to move out in the area and the police has informed them that curfew is imposed in the city.

“We were not even allowed to get bread,” said Nazir Ahmed Sofi, a resident of Kanyaar. “We have been told that curfew has been imposed in the city.”

On Friday a youth, Shahid Ahmad Ahanger, was killed and another seriously injured when troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) opened fire on a group of protestors at Nowhotta in downtown Srinagar. The protesters were demanding release of the separatist leaders languishing in various jails. The killing of the youth sparked massive ‘pro- freedom’ and anti CRPF protests in the old city which continued till late Friday night.

Fearing more violent protests, the authorities decided to impose strict restrictions on Saturday and the security has also been beefed up in other parts of the city too.

The situation is in normal in other parts of the city and there is no report of any violent clash. However, the shops and business establishments in the heart of the city Lal Chowk and other parts of the uptown city are shut against the killing of the youth. No separatist group has called for any strike today.