No curfew in Srinagar despite separatist shutdown

SRINAGAR - Authorities again did not impose curfew anywhere in Srinagar Sunday despite a protest shutdown called by separatists across the Kashmir Valley.

No curfew or restrictions have been imposed anywhere in Srinagar city today (Sunday),” a police official said here.

Restrictions have, however, been imposed in north Kashmir Palhalan and Delina villages in addition to south Kashmir Bijbehera and Anantnag towns,” he said.

The situation throughout the Valley is peaceful. Despite the shutdown called by the separatists, private transport is plying normally everywhere in Srinagar city, the officer added.

No curfew was imposed in Srinagar Saturday as well even though the separatists had called for a shutdown.

Shops, business establishments, banks, educational institutions and post offices remained closed in Srinagar being a holiday Sunday but life appeared to be more relaxed in the city in comparison to the last few days.

Things are comparatively more relaxed as tensions have eased because of the declining violence. But one can’t say that we are anywhere near normal as yet, said Abdul Majid, a 54-year-old businessman here.

Hardline separatist Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani has appealed to people to observe a complete Valley wide shutdown Sunday as part of the protest calendar he has been issuing on a weekly basis for the last four months now.

As many as 109 people have lost their lives in the last four months of unrest in the Valley.