Curfew relaxed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - Curfew was relaxed in areas of Srinagar and other towns of the Kashmir Valley in a phased manner Saturday afternoon.

“In uptown areas of Srinagar city, curfew has been relaxed from 12 noon onwards and the relaxation will continue if the law and order situation remains peaceful,” a senior police officer said here.

He also said curfew would be relaxed from the old city areas as well in a phased manner.

“Orders have already been passed for curfew relaxation in other towns of the valley,” the officer said.

Markets opened and both private and public transport started moving normally as people came out during the relaxation period in Srinagar.

“I took out my 12-year-old nephew for a cup of coffee after almost a month. The boy was thrilled as even being able to move out for a cup of coffee is a rare opportunity these days,” said a retired chief engineer here.

“No untoward incident has been reported so far from anywhere during the relaxation period,” the police officer said.

The authorities had not relaxed curfew anywhere Friday following intelligence reports that the separatists planned protests after the Friday prayers.