GILGIT, June 2: Heavy contingents of the army and Frontier Constabulary (FC) have been deployed in Gilgit city at the request of the Northern Areas admnistration on Monday.

Earlier, the Shia ulema had given a call for launching a full-scale protest against the existing Islamiat curriculum in the Northern Areas from Monday which, according to Shia leaders, had to be delayed for a week at the request of the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) members.

The Shia students also took out a rally on Monday morning, which was dispersed on the assurances of NALC members and Chairman of Gilgit District Council, Aliyar Khan. The agitations had been turning violent, disturbing life in Gilgit for the last five days.

The schoolchildren belonging to Shia community had boycotted the classes on Monday as well. To ward off any untoward situation the law enforcement agencies have enhanced security measures in Gilgit and at its suburban areas.

The joint teams of police, army and FC have begun patrolling and checkpoints have been erected at the sensitive areas.