SRINAGAR: Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in parts of Kashmir Valley today amid fears of protests against the killing of a college student earlier this week allegedly by government forces.

Officials said security has been beefed up and Section 144 has been imposed in parts of Kashmir while the educational institutions have been closed to pre-empt any protests. Train service has also been suspended.

The Hurriyat has called for shutdown and protests today against the killing of Adil Farooq Magrey of Ganawpora village in Shopian where forces opened fire on protesters disrupting an anti-militancy operation on Tuesday.

District Magistrate Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone, said Section 144 has been imposed in seven police station areas of old city, the hot-bed of anti-India and pro-freedom protests in the capital.

"Section 144 has been imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar, M.R.Gunj, Kralkhud, Maisuma and Safa Kadal police stations while security personnel have been deployed in strength in other areas," Lone said.

Authorities have also sealed the Jamia Masjid and the moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers sermons on Fridays at the mosque, has been put under house-arrest.

Veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik are also under the custody of the authorities, officials said.

Mobile internet continues to remain suspended for fourth day today while, officials said, all the examinations scheduled today have been postponed.

Officials said restrictions have also been imposed in other towns of the Valley, especially in south Kashmir's Shopian district where the student was killed while foiling an anti-militancy operation.

"Restrictions under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were also imposed in the district headquarters of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Baramulla, Badgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara," a top government functionary said.

Attempts by locals to foil 'Cordon and Search Operation' of forces have become common, especially in south Kashmir, with more than two dozen militants, according to police, taking advantage of the clashes between forces and protesters and escaping from cordons.

Yesterday, a group of three militants managed to escape from a 'Cordon and Search Operation' in Wularhama village in Dachnipora belt of Pahalgam after locals created disruption by pelting stones at the security forces.

The Valley remain on the edge ever since the killings of nine civilians on April 9 when the bypoll for Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency was conducted amid intense violence.

Amid fears of more violence, the Election Commission of India was forced to delay the Anantnag bypoll, scheduled on May 24, to an unannounced date.

(Cover Photograph BASIT ZARGAR)