Curfew clamped in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR - Curfew was Tuesday clamped in parts of the Kashmir Valley to end days of violence, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, warning that curfew violators will be dealt with sternly.

As three more people were killed in firing by security forces, Abdullah appealed to everyone in Jammu and Kashmir to help restore normalcy in the state.

“Curfew is being imposed in various parts of the valley… areas under north Kashmir, some areas have come under curfew.

“With the situation having spread to south Kashmir, various areas will be brought under curfew as the situation demands,” he told reporters.

“The security forces have been told that with the caveat of maximum restraint possible, they will have to enforce the curfew so that the situation can be brought under control.

“We have a duty, we will do everything possible in the shortest possible time to restore normalcy,” he added.

Abdullah appealed to the people in curfew-bound areas to cooperate with the government and not to engage the security forces.

“I appeal to all the parents to counsel their children, to keep their children at home, to ensure that their children do not come out and engage security forces in stone pelting.

“Where curfew has been imposed, curfew will be enforced,” he said.

He urged political parties to set aside their political differences and come together to help restore normalcy in the valley. “This cycle of violence has to stop.”