Strict curfew after dusk in Kashmir makes life more difficult

Sumir Kaul Srinagar, Aug 26 (PTI) "Bhago yahan se" (go away fromhere)–a voice suddenly booms from a dark corner of a streetin curfew-bound Srinagar as dusk falls. This is the voice of a para-military personnel behind aconcertina wire who tries to prevent movement of people onthe main road here and is unwilling to listen to anyone evenif one is carrying a curfew pass or has some emergency. Srinagar like any other part of Kashmir is witnessing thelongest spell of curfew since July 8 when unrest broke out inthe Valley. "This has become a daily routine. To walk just across thechowk, which is only 500 metres away, I have to take a detourof nearly two kilometres through narrow lanes and by-lanes toreach my aunt’s place," says Mushtaq Mir, a resident ofRainawari locality in downtown city. Mir is carrying some medicines for his aunt who has beensuffering from age-related ailments. Changing his path, Mir, accompanied by his wife, finallychose another route to reach his destination but not before agroup of young boys try to block his way as he was sneakingfrom by-lanes. Armed with ‘lathis’, stones and bottles filled withpetrol and kerosene, youngsters will soon inquire every singledetail from you and verify everything before letting you go,he said. "The security forces at least give you a chance toretreat while with youngsters that option is also notavailable and you are allowed to cross only after every detailhas been verified," says his wife. This broadly is the experience of an average Kashmiri inthe Valley today who is caught between security forces andagitating youths with no end to this misery in sight. Many such harrowing experiences of anguished residentswere shared with a PTI correspondent on a quick round of thecity. "We are not inhuman but we have to act tough as apreventive measure. In case of a medical emergency, we takecare and ensure that the patient reaches the hospital," says amiddle-rung paramilitary officer deployed at Rainawari chowk,who spoke on the condition of anonymity.(MORE) PTI SKL GSNGSN