Kashmir Valley peaceful, curfew relaxed in phases

SRINAGAR - Authorities Wednesday relaxed curfew restrictions in summer capital Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir Valley in a phased manner and the situation was largely peaceful, police said.

“The situation across the valley remained normal and under control during curfew relaxation periods at different places. No report of any untoward incident was received from anywhere,” a police official said here.

“Curfew restrictions in east, west and south zones of Srinagar city were relaxed from 3 p.m. onwards, while it was relaxed from 5 p.m. onwards in north and Hazratbal zones,” he said.

“In Ganderbal and Kangan towns, curfew was relaxed from 12 noon to 2 p.m. This was later extended up to 4 p.m. The restrictions were lifted from Awantipora and Pulwama towns between 1 p.m. and 4 pm, and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Shopian.”

Curfew restrictions were lifted in phases in Kulgam, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Bandipora and Sumbal as well, the officer added.

Shops opened immediately after curfew relaxation was announced in different parts of Srinagar city and other towns of the valley and people were seen buying essential items.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has announced that as per the modified protest calendar there would be no shutdown across the Kashmir Valley Thursday and Friday.

People have been urged not to carry out any protests so that life remains normal in the Valley during these two days.

Geelani said his group would now announce a new protest calendar Sunday.

Over 100 people have died in unending street protests in the Kashmir Valley since June 11 in retaliatory firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs.