MUZAFFARABAD: Indian authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in different parts of held Kashmir, including Sri­nagar, barring people from offering Friday prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid for the 19th consecutive week.

Large contingents of police and paramilitary troops were deployed on roads and all the entry and exit points of Srinagar were blocked with concertina wires and other barricades to prevent the assembly of people, local Current News Service (CNS) said, quoting witnesses.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik remained under house arrest.

The Mirwaiz delivers sermon at the Jamia Masjid every Friday.

The agency said that roads in Srinagar and other major towns witnessed thin traffic and all shops and businesses remained closed.

There were reports of minor clashes in different parts of held Kashmir, in which four people were injured.

In Anantnag, police arrested Hurriyat leader Mir Hafizullah for leading a pro-freedom rally in Hakura village near Dialgam.

Mr Hafizullah, who organised hundreds of rallies during the ongoing uprising, was evading arrest for a long time despite numerous raids by police at his home.

In one of such raids, his brother was also arrested.

A police official said that Mr Hafizullah was wanted in 25 cases.

Published in Dawn November 19th, 2016