Kashmir Witnesses Shutdown, Suspension of Mobile Internet Services on Jan 26

‘The authorities had also imposed restrictions in parts of the city despite the Kashmir police chief, Vijay Kumar, on late Tuesday saying that there will be no restrictions on the movements.’

SRINAGAR — Authorities in Kashmir valley on Wednesday suspended mobile internet services in the region as the day marked the 75th year of Indian Republic Day.

The internet services were suspended in the wee hours on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown is being observed across the Kashmir valley. All business establishments and public transport services are shut in the region while a very thin movement of private vehicles was seen plying on roads.

Earlier, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) led by Masarat Alam Bhat had appealed to the people to mark “India’s Republic Day” as “Black day” as a mark of protest.

The authorities had also imposed restrictions in parts of the city despite the Kashmir police chief, Vijay Kumar, on late Tuesday saying that there will be no restrictions on the movements.

“There will be no restriction on movements tomorrow. General public are requested to follow “Covid Appropriate Behaviour” [SIC],” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted quoting the IGP.

In the run-up to the January 26 celebrations, the Jammu and Kashmir administration led by the New Delhi appointed Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, had tightened the security in the erstwhile state ahead of January 26 “celebrations” in the Kashmir valley and deployed additional troops.

The government forces increased their presence in various parts of the valley, particularly the capital city Srinagar where the forces established additional “security checkpoints” and increased the frisking of the vehicles.

In Kashmir, the main January 26 function was held at SK cricket stadium, where the advisor to the LG, RR Bhatnagar, hoisted the tricolour. 

On January 25, a day ahead of the Indian Republic Day celebrations, unidentified persons hurled a grenade towards government forces personnel in the busy Hari Singh High Street area of the Srinagar city, resulting in injuries to at least four persons including a police officer. 

The unidentified persons lobbed the grenade towards a team of armed forces at Hari Singh High Street at around 3:30 pm, officials said, adding the grenade exploded by the roadside.

Four persons were injured in the blast. They have been identified as police inspector Tanveer Hussain who is posted with ACB, Mohammad Shafi, his wife Tanveera, and another woman Asmat.