Curfew, shutdown hit Srinagar again

SRINAGAR - Curfew continued to be in force in parts of Srinagar Monday while separatists called for a protest shutdown, affecting life in most areas of the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, officials said.

“Curfew is continuing in five police station areas of Srinagar city while restrictions have been imposed in Badgam and Anantnag towns,” a police officer said here.

Despite the curfew and the separatist-sponsored shutdown, violence has come down across the Kashmir Valley in the last few days.

“There has been a decrease in the level of violence in the valley during the last few days. The intensity and frequency of protests has definitely come down,” said an intelligence officer here.

Hardline separatist group headed by Syed Ali Geelani called for yet another protest shutdown Monday as part of the group’s ‘Quit Kashmir’ movement.

As many as 64 people have died in the 80 days since the ongoing unrest in the Valley burst June 11.

Shops, educational institutions, banks, post offices and other businesses remained closed. While public transport went off roads, private vehicles plied on the uptown city roads here.

Reports from other district headquarters of the valley said that the separatist called shutdown had adversely affected life there as well.