Curfew extended to more areas in Kashmir

Curfew was extended to more areas of Kashmir today to thwart a planned march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine here even as normal life in the Valley remained paralysed for the 28th consecutive day.

"Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar district in view of the call for a march by some elements to Hazratbal. Curfew has also been imposed in Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag town, Awantipora, Kulgam town, Baramulla district excluding Sopore, Shopian town, Kaloosa in Bandipora and parts of Handwara," a police official said.

He said restrictions on the assembly of four or more persons in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

Security forces have been deployed in strength in a sensitive and vulnerable areas to maintain law and order.

Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 28^th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and separatist-sponsored strike against the death of civilians in clashes between protesters and security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter July 8.

Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps banks and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off roads. Attendance in government offices was also thin, the official said.

For the last couple of days, many shops and business establishments open after sundown after the separatists announced a relaxation in the agitation programme to allow people to buy essentials in view of the prolonged shutdown.

Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is barred.

The separatist, who have has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 12, have demanded that mainstream politicians resign from their parties and posts.They have called for blocking routes to Civil Secretariat here and other government offices in districts to "ensure that no employee is able to join the duty".

"A poster letter asking pro-India politicians and their workers including panchs and sarpanchs to resign from their parties and positions to be pasted on the gates of their homes," the agitation calendar, issued jointly by the separatist camp, said.

Police had launched a massive crackdown against "hooligans and miscreants" in Kashmir, arresting nearly 500 youths from across the Valley.