Kashmir’s longest curfew ends after 52 days, restrictions to remain

Curfew was lifted in most parts of Kashmir, except Pulwama and parts of Srinagar.

Srinagar: The 52-day long curfew in Kashmir, which witnessed a spate of violence after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month, was lifted on Monday in most parts of the Valley, except Pulwama and parts of Srinagar.

However, restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits unlawful assembly of 10 or more people, will remain enforced to maintain law and order.

“Following an improvement in the situation, there will be no restrictions in Kashmir Valley from tomorrow except town Pulwama and the areas falling under the jurisdictions of Police Station M R Gunj and Police Station Nowhatta,” a police spokesman said Sunday evening.

Curfew remained in force in five police station areas of downtown Srinagar, another police official said.

He said the curfew was lifted from many areas of Srinagar today - two days after it was clamped in the entire city to thwart proposed marches by separatist groups to Eidgah in old city on Friday and towards Army headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment area on Saturday.

The official said curfew also continued in the two south Kashmir towns of Pulwama and Pampore.

At least 25 persons were injured in clashes between protestors and security forces in Kashmir on Saturday as the death toll in the ongoing unrest reached 70.

Meanwhile, normal life remained paralysed due to restrictions and separatist sponsored strike.

Shops, private offices and petrol pumps remained closed, while public transport continued to be off roads. Mobile Internet also continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred.

The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley over the civilian killings during the protests against Wani's killing, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1.

They have asked the mosque committees in all villages and localities to visit people to assess their needs.

Also visit the families of those killed and injured, and make arrangements for their support, the separatists said in their weekly protest program. (This article first appeared in Deccan Chronicle)