Three people have been killed and over 80 injured as protesters defied curfew and clashed with the security forces across the Valley.
The latest victim was a 22-year-old woman who died when security forces fired to disperse a mob in Handwara.
Srinagar has turned into a virtual fortress and there is a severe crackdown to prevent the planned march by separatists to Lal Chowk in the heart of the city.
The protestors defied curfew to take out the procession in Kupwara.
Separatist leader Yasin Malik has been arrested ahead of Hurriyat’s protest march in Srinagar on Monday.
Yasin Malik was arrested near Lal Chowk. Malik had said in the morning that he would defy curfew and come out for the planned Hurriyat march.
The police and the CRPF sealed off the Lal Chowk area completely negating any chance of the march taking place.
All 10 districts of the Valley remain under curfew but Hurriyat leaders have decided to go ahead with the intended show of strength despite a severe crackdown on protests.
Last evening, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were arrested. Several second-rung Hurriyat leaders have also been arrested.
This was after a day of protests and clashes. Even the media was not spared. Journalists were beaten. Local cable news channels have been asked not to broadcast news and current affairs programmes. No newspapers were available in Srinagar on Monday morning.
The Army is on standby in nine districts and says it will assist the government in enforcing strict curfew. For the first time in recent weeks the Army is out in all districts except Srinagar.
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