Srinagar still tense

By Our Special Correspondent

JAMMU, FEB. 18. Tension continued to grip Srinagar today with angry masses defying restrictions in some curfew-bound areas to register their protest by burning tyres and throwing stones at police and paramilitary forces. Reports from various towns indicated that the situation was still tense and the Government's efforts to persuade the public have not borne fruit.

CRPF jawans opened fire in Chattabal area, downtown Srinagar, to disperse a mob. Two youth were injured and have been hospitalised, police sources said. As there was no improvement in the situation, the authorities decided against any relaxation in the curfew.

(According to PTI, at least 10 people were injured, two of them in police firing. Police resorted to firing when repeated lathicharge and bursting of teargas shells failed to disperse the mob which attacked the police post demanding registration of FIR against a counter-insurgent associated with the Special Operations Group, who was allegedly involved in yesterday's firing at Zampakadal in which two youths were critically injured.)

Despite the restrictions, senior Hurriyat leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Moulvi Abbas Ansari and Mr. Nayeem Khan, and PDP leader, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, were among the leaders who managed to visit Haigam where a 50,000-strong gathering took part in the fourth- day ceremony of those killed on Thursday. Mr. Khan, who has been visiting the village for the last three days, came down heavily on the Government and said ``it was fooling the people in the name ceasefire''. Mr. Khan was received well by the people who chanted slogans such as `Lashkar se rishta kiya laillaha- illalah'. (`We hail you for your relationship with the Lashkar.')

Among other leaders, Mr. Yaseen Malik, who arrived from Delhi, was arrested at the airport and lodged in the Kothibagh police station. The JKLF vice-chairperson, Mr. Javed Ahmed Mir, was arrested from Abi Guzar and Dr. G.M. Hubbi from his residence. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone and Sheikh Abdul Aziz are away in Delhi.

PTI reports:

Militants opened fire at the residence of Superintendent of Police (East), Mr. Bashir Ahmad Dar, at Rawalpora in uptown Srinagar. Police guards posted at his house retaliated, forcing the militants to flee, official sources said.

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