Police on Tuesday sealed off residential areas and re-imposed a round-the-clock curfew in the held Kashmir valley to pre-empt the first anti-India rally since authorities announced concessions to end violent protests. A new protest with a wide following would have been interpreted as a setback for New Delhi's peace initiative launched three weeks ago and obliged the government to pursue other ways to deal with the unrest in the disputed region.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani called on residents to defy the curfew and go into the streets. Thousands of police and soldiers in riot gear patrolled deserted streets and told residents through loudspeakers to stay indoors. "Authorities have decided to impose valley-wide strict curfew restrictions," a police statement said.
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