Curfew lifted in Valley, but protests rock parts of Srinagar

Srinagar, July 26

The administration on Tuesday lifted curfew in Srinagar following 17 days of restrictions imposed after the death of militant commander Burhan Wani.

"There will be no restriction in any part of Srinagar district on Tuesday," Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Lone said. The decision has been taken after reviewing the overall situation in the capital city.

However, protest demonstrations were witnessed in several parts of the city on Tuesday morning. The police had to resort to teargas to quell demonstrators at various places in the city. At least two people were injured in clashes at Khanyar area of the city and were shifted to hospital.

Meanwhile, a strike called by separatist organisations affected normal life as shops and business establishments, government offices, educational institutes and banks are closed and there was no traffic on the roads.

Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik were detained on Monday to prevent them from marching to Anantnag.

While curfew has been lifted from four districts of Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramula and Bandipore in the past two days, restrictions are in force in parts of South Kashmir. Officials said that in view of the situation limping back to normal, there would be no strict restrictions in major towns. The people would be allowed to get essential supplies, however, under police and CRPF vigilance.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters set ablaze a structure housing stores of the irrigation and flood control department on Khannabal-Pahalgam road in Anantnag on Monday evening.

The government has set up helplines in all district headquarters of Kashmir for the residents working outside and students hailing from the state "in case they need any help or assistance".