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GILGIT, June 3: A curfew was imposed on the city of Gilgit early yesterday morning to maintain law and order in view of a protest call given by Agha Ziauddin Rizvi and other Shia leaders against the school curriculum containing material against their religious belief.
However, a rally was held in defiance of the curfew and at least one person was killed and several others were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters.
Sources said that Assistant Commissioner of Hunza Abdul Hamid, DSP Hunza and two other police personnel and some army and Frontier Constabulary troops were also injured in the clash. The sources said that clashes and incidents of arson were reported also from Nagar, Hunza and other areas of the district.
A Radio Pakistan van, transmitter, police training centre, deputy commissioner's office, the VIP rest-house and Northern Areas Legislative Council Hall were badly damaged in attacks by mobs. Police stations were also damaged in Danyore and Hunza.
The sources said that a mob in Hunza attacked a PTDC motel and set on fire the office of assistant commissioner and Aliabad police station. They said thousands of protesters from various areas were trying to enter Gilgit city but law-enforcement personnel stopped them at various entry points.
A group of protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway, creating chaos in areas adjoining the city. It is learnt that eight Shia leaders, including Mr Rizvi, have been taken into custody.
Some leaders of the community made announcements on loudspeakers asking youths to assemble in mosques and imambargahs of their areas and wait for directives. Incidents of aerial firing were also reported from different parts of the city.
TOURISTS FLEE: As a result of the disturbances, foreign tourists who were in Gilgit and Hunza have started leaving the city. A large number of tourists had arrived in Gilgit and Skardu in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of the first ascent of K-2, the world's second highest peak. Some tourists remained stuck in the hotels because of the curfew.
A press note issued by the district magistrate of Gilgit on Thursday said: "In view of prevailing law and order situation, the local administration called the army last evening.
A curfew has been imposed within the municipal limits of Gilgit city with effect from 5am this morning for an indefinite period." The press note said that "so far eight persons have been taken into custody, including Agha Ziauddin, leader of the Shia community."
IT ADDED: "The Gilgit city is calm. However, a few untoward incidents took place on the outskirts of Sakwar and Danyore. A mob of protesters damaged the offices of Police Recruits Training Centre, Sakwar, and Radio Pakistan situated at Danyore."
