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The Army has been deployed in Srinagar to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order as all major towns of the Kashmir Valley continue to remain under curfew. The army was called in Tuesday night following violent protests, which left three persons dead and over 70 injured. Army columns were deployed across the city, following widespread violence in the Batmaloo and Maisuma localities. The decision to deploy the Army was taken after the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a formal request for its help in enforcing curfew and maintaining law and order in Srinagar. According to sources, the Army will not be used for crowd control and that its presence is restricted to being a deterrent. Sources also said the Army is not keen on having any direct confrontation with people. The Centre is concerned about the political impact of using the Army for law and order operations. Meanwhile, curfew remains in force in Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir and Kupwara and Bandipore in North Kashmir. The army also staged a flag march in Sopore and Baramulla. On Tuesday, protesters clashed with security forces in various places. The protests had begun on Monday night when a group of men started throwing stones at a security contingent. The situation in the valley has been tense over the past few weeks due to repeated clashes between protestors and security forces.

Army deployed in Srinagar, curfew continues