Curfew affects normal life in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Amid incidents of clashes between the security forces and locals, normal life remains affected, even as curfew continued in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Nine districts of the state, along with Srinagar, entered the seventh day of stern restrictions imposed by the administration because of recent protests and clashes.

Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across curfew-hit areas and theyhave warned locals of severe action if they do not adhere to the restrictions.

Shops remained closed and roads wore a deserted look as security personnel and vehicles patrolled different parts of the capital. Locals have been facing a shortage of essential commodities due to the curfew.

Twenty-eight civilians have been reportedly killed since Friday and around 200 injured have been in clashes.

On Wednesday evening, one more person was killed in the fresh protest in old part of the Srinagar.

Paramilitary forces have been asked to exercise maximum restraint to cut down on civilian casualties, which authorities say are used as fuel by the separatists to provoke emotions in the region.

On August 2, State Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had called for the restoration of normalcy in the region, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi after apprising the Prime Minister on the present situation in the Kashmir valley.

The situation in the valley took a turn for the worse after locals went on a rampage during police clashes on Sunday.

Hundreds of protestors in Srinagar’s Pampore area broke the imposed curfew and took to the streets, offering stiff resistance to the security personnel.

Shouting slogans, the rioters burnt government buildings and vehicles, and devastated property worth millions.

The Kashmir Valley has been witnessing a surge of violence that has led the authorities to impose an on-and-off curfew in parts of Kashmir. By Parvez Bhat (ANI)