Barring Srinagar, curfew lifted across Kashmir

Curfew in the valley was lifted today except for certain areas in Srinagar An official said the curbs on the movement of people were lifted from other areas where curfew was in force yesterday owing to the improving situation in the valley

Curfew was finally lifted across Kashmir on Tuesday, in view of the improving situation, even as normal life remained disrupted in the Valley for the 74th day. However, curfew remains in force in five police station areas of downtown (interior city) and Harwan in Srinagar, a police official said.

He said that the curfew was clamped in Harwan Police Station areas today to mourn for a boy who died during security forces' action on Friday. The official said the curbs on the movement of people were lifted from other areas where curfew was in force yesterday owing to the improving situation in the valley.

Barring stray incidents of stone pelting in Sopore and Shopian, overall situation remained under control across the Valley yesterday and there was increased traffic and movement of people between various districts and towns including in some areas of Srinagar city, the official said.

He, however, said that restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 continued to remain in force in the Valley. Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain paralysed in Kashmir for the 74th consecutive day due to restrictions and separatist-sponsored strike.

The separatists, who are spearheading the current agitation in the Valley, have extended the protest programme till September 22. They have also asked people to observe today as Women's Day.
They have not announced any period of relaxation in the strike for the week.Shops, business establishments, and petrol pumps continued to remain shut, while public transport was off the roads.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions also continued to remain shut. Postpaid mobile telephony services were restored last night, while the outgoing calls on prepaid numbers continued to remain snapped across the Valley. Mobile Internet services also remained suspended.

As many as 81 people, including two cops, have been killed in the unrest that broke out a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir on July 8.