SRINAGAR: The state authorities on Saturday imposed curfew on the entire Kashmir valley following violence in several towns.
Police had to lathi charge crowds waving Pakistani flags in Sopore, Anantnag and Srinagar. At some places there were cases of arson and looting reported.
Earlier in Srinagar massive several processions and firing in the air, raising of Pakistani and “Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front” (JKLF) flags and slogans and scattered violence all over the Kashmir valley marked the release of the five JKLF militants in exchange for Rubaiya, the abducted daughter of Indian home (interior) minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.
From morning people started gathering in groups in different parts of this capital city of the sensitive northern Indian border state of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in downtown areas considered to be militant strongholds. As news of the expected exchange spread the groups converged into processions.
At least six big processions wound their way through the main thoroughfares of the city with people bursting crackers. The processions, among who were some. Militants brandishing automatic ‘weapons and occasionally firing in the AIR, shouted pro-Pakistan, pro-JKLF slogans and hailed the terrorists.
A team of PTI correspondents going round the city found large groups of people crowding Bohrikadal, Fatehkadal, Zainakadal and Dalgate areas. Even women and children were waving JKLF banners. PTI.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1989
