No protests in Jammu and Kashmir till all restrictions lifted: police chief
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police has banned all forms of protests in the Valley until the government lifts restrictions and restores normalcy.
On Tuesday, half a dozen women activists including the sister and daughter of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah were arrested during a protest against abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
"Our effort would be to stabilise peace further before any such activity is allowed," Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbagh Singh told NDTV.
He raised objections over the content written on some of the placards carried by women. He said that it was not 'very good' and that they held the potential to dismiss the law and order situation in the Valley, and therefore, ''effective action had to be taken''.
Abdullah's sister Suraiya and his daughter Safiya, who were leading a group of women activists, were detained by the police. Wearing black arm bands and holding placards, the women protestors were not allowed by the police personnel to assemble and were asked to disperse peacefully.
However, the protestors refused to disperse and tried to stage a sit-in.
"Provocations do not come only through words which you speak. Provocation comes from the placards which you carry," the police chief said.
Singh urged Kashmiris to respect the restrictions placed in Srinagar. He also said women protesters need to go to the deputy commission and seek permission.
"Absolutely no protests will be allowed. Maybe when the situation further improves, we will see. But not as of now," Singh said.
The Centre has imposed heavy security measures that include arresting politicians, evacuating tourists, posting extra troops and blocking phone and internet lines.
The 81-year-old patron of the National Conference and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), which enables authorities to detain any individual for two years without trial.
Abdullah's son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah and another former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti are also under detention since August 5 when the Centre announced abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into Union territories.
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