51 days and 66 deaths later Kashmir finally lifts curfew

The state government faced ₹300 crore worth losses during the curfew. 66 people were killed and thousands of others were injured. Tourism in the Valley was on the decline.

The 51-day curfew in the Kashmir which was imposed after Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani's death on July 8 has been lifted from most parts of the Valley.

Certain areas such as Pulwama, M.R. Gunj police station area and Nowhatta town police station are still facing some restrictions.

Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed and public transport remained off roads during the curfew. The attendance in government offices was thin. Mobile Internet and telephone services also remained suspended.

The curfew was lifted two days after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the unstable situation in the Valley. 

Speaking on the Kashmir unrest in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said, "From the interactions I had with all parties in Kashmir, one thing emerged from those, which can be put in simple words as 'Ekta' and 'Mamata'. These two things were the basic mantra."

At the same time, he slammed "those people who push small children to try to create unrest in Kashmir", saying "some day, they will have to give answers to these innocent children".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be leading an all-party delegation on his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on September 3. On August 28, Singh spoke with BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh on the upcoming visit to the Valley.