No relaxation in curfew in Srinagar, other towns

Srinagar, Sept 1 (UNI) Indefinite curfew remained in place here and other major towns in the Kashmir valley for the ninth day running today.

However, in Kulgam and Bandipora day curfew was lifted.

Official sources said no curfew relaxation was given in Srinagar and its adjoining areas today following a call given by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present agitation in the valley, to hold peaceful demonstrations.

The CC, an alliance of both factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and other separatist, trade, Bar Association and other organisations, have asked people to resume normal working from Tuesday till 1600 hrs for three days. However, transport can ply till 1700 hrs, the CC said.

Yesterday, the authorities had to re-impose curfew in areas falling under six downtown police stations following protests.

However, in other civil line and uptown areas the relaxation period was extended till 1700 hrs.

There was no curfew relaxation in Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore and Anantnag.

However, it was relaxed for two hours from 1000 hrs in central Kashmir district of Badgam. But curfew will remain enforced on Srinagar-Airport road.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar and other major towns in the Kashmir valley on August 24 morning following Lal Chowk chalo call given by the CC for the next day.

Chairmen of both factions of the HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah have been arrested along with more than 100 separatists of second rank and other leaders since August 24.

The CC, among other things, has demanded opening of all roads with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for trade and free movement, release of all detenues, withdrawal of troops and special powers to security forces in the valley.

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