Restrictions in Srinagar, Mirwaiz under house arrest

Srinagar, April 5 (IANS) A day after prisoners and jail authorities clashed inside the Srinagar Central Jail, police on Friday imposed restrictions in Srinagar's old city areas, police said. Senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who delivers the Friday sermon at the Jama Masjid, has been placed under house arrest at his residence in Nigeen area on the city's outskirts. Additional police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were deployed in the old city and other sensitive areas. Barricades have come up in Nowhatta area around the historic Jamia Masjid to prevent congregational Friday prayers. Clashes broke out inside the Srinagar Jail on Thursday after rumours spread that some inmates were being shifted to jails outside the Kashmir Valley. Additional security forces were rushed to help the jail authorities bring the situation under control. Two prisoners were injured in the clashes while a temporary shelter inside the prison was torched by the protesters.
--IANS sq/rtp/mr