Centre recalls CRPF chief from Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Aug 14 : The Centre on Thursday called back the Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sunil Kumar Jain, from Srinagar.

More transfers are expected in Jammu and Kashmir Police. Reports said the Centre is also considering replacing Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) Shiv Mohan Sahai and that of his counterpart in Jammu, K Rajendra Kumar.

Jain was asked to proceed on a tour to headquarters pending transfer and no replacement for the post has been announced.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Valley continues to remain tense though authorities relaxed curfew this morning. The Army has been kept on standby to meet any eventuality.

In Kishtwar District, an indefinite curfew entered its third day today amid flag marches by the Army and shoot-at-sight orders after two people died and 30 were injured in Tuesday's violent communal clashes, firing and grenade blast.

However, curfew relaxation was extended by four hours in six violence-hit districts of Kashmir valley as no major untoward incident was reported when the ban orders were eased earlier in the day.

Besides Srinagar, curfew was relaxed in Ganderbal, Budgam, Kulgam, Anantnag and Kupwara Districts till 3:00 p.m. to allow people to buy necessary household items. Relaxation was given in Bandipora District for a few hours till 11 a.m., official sources said.

Curfew was imposed in all the ten districts of Kashmir Valley on Tuesday for the first time in 13 years after protests over the blockade of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, turning violent leading to police firing and death of 21 people.

The situation in the Jammu region is slightly improved as curfew was relaxed in Jammu, Samba and Udhampur Districts for varying periods.

People took out peaceful rallies and burnt tyres and effigies of the state Governor N N Vohra since this morning at several places in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur Districts.

Meantime, the shut down called by the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, which is spearheading the 47-day long agitation, has been extended by another one week till August 20. The Samiti has also announced Jail Baroo Andoolan from August 18.

ANI