Curfew continues in many Kashmir towns

SRINAGAR - Life across the valley remained paralyzed Thursday as curfew continued in many towns of north and south Kashmir while fresh curfew was imposed in the south Kashmir towns of Mattan and Koimohmore.

An indefinite curfew continued for the sixth day in north Kashmir’s Sopore town and for the second day in Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama in the south.

Although authorities refuse to call it curfew, strict curfew like restrictions continued in seven police station areas of the summer capital Srinagar Thursday.

“There are preventive restrictions in place in some Old City areas but we are not disallowing any genuine civilian movement. Preventive measures are just against miscreants and anti-social elements,” said a police officer.

The restrictions have been imposed in areas falling under Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safa Kadal, Soura and Parimpora police station areas.

A police officer said the situation was comparatively better Thursday. “Private transport is normal in all uptown areas (of Srinagar) and people are thronging shops in Old City.”

Srinagar district police chief Ashiq Hussain Bukhari said: “The situation is being monitored and the restructions will not remain in place a minute more than necessary.”

In Anantnag town, an indefinite curfew was imposed Tuesday after widespread violence followed the killing of three teenagers in firing by security forces.

Eight youths have been killed in firing by security forces in the last one week.