Omar visits shrine,orders restoration

Fearing protests the police and paramilitary forces imposed undeclared curfew in old city. The police erected metal barricades and also closed roads leading to the old city with spools of concertina wire.

However,despite restrictions and curfew,people took to streets at several places in Srinagar and pelted stones at police and paramilitary forces.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,who cut short his trip to the UK,drove straight to the shrine for an on-spot inspection,following his arrival in Srinagar. He ordered immediate restoration of the shrine. Omar was accompanied by rural development minister Ali Mohammad Sagar. The entire state is anguished and is in a state of mourning, he said.

The people of the state should remain beware of divisive forces whose sole objective is to disrupt peace and harmony. All of us who regard and respect the divine and revered shrine should stand for peace and tolerance,Omar appealed to the people. Meanwhile,a complete shutdown was also observed in all major towns of the Valley with shops shut and traffic off the road.