India imposes ‘full curfew’ in Kashmir ahead of clampdown anniversary

Name: The Kashmir conflict
Uploaded: 2020-08-03T21:04:03.000Z
Duration: 5 min 27 s
Description: The Kashmir conflict

Officials cite intelligence reports of looming protests a year after New Delhi tightened control of region

Restrictions mean residents can move around only with official pass, usually reserved for essential services like police and medical professionals

Reading Time:2 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

An Indian paramilitary soldier guards near a closed market during lockdown in Srinagar, Kashmir on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Agence France-Presse

Published: 5:04am, 4 Aug 2020Updated: 5:30am, 4 Aug 2020

A curfew has been imposed across Indian Kashmir just two days before the first anniversary of New Delhi’s abolition of the restive region’s semi-autonomy, officials said late on Monday, citing intelligence reports of looming protests.

“These restrictions shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force on 4 and 5 August,” stated the government order issued for the main city of Srinagar.

“Full curfew will be enforced in all Kashmir districts,” said a senior police officer, who asked to remain anonymous.

A “full curfew” means people can move around only with an official pass, usually reserved for essential services like police and medical professionals.

05:27

The Kashmir conflict

The Himalayan region is already subject to restrictions to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus amid a jump in infections, with most economic activities limited and public movement curtailed.