Jammu Kashmir curfew relaxed for 5 hours

{image-j&k_14082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Srinagar, Aug 14: After two days of aggressive violence leading to more than 20 killings, security forces relaxed curfew in six out of ten districts in the Kashmir Valley for five hours to enable people to buy essential commodities. The curfew was relaxed in Srinagar, Gandharwal, Budgam, Kupwara, Anantnag and Kulgam districts from 6 am to 11 am. The curfew was still on in districts of Bandipura, Pulwama and Shopiyan. The authorities clamped curfew in all the ten districts in kashmir for the first time in 13 years after the protests in the tense Kashmir region spread.

According to state authorities, if relaxation period passed off peacefully then it would be extended. Kashmir valley was facing shortage of essential commodities for some time as protesters in Jammu had blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, over the issue of land transfer to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

Authorities have denied any 'economic blockade' and said trucks guarded by policemen and soldiers are plying on the Kashmir valley route. The State Government has taken many steps to instill confidence among the truck drivers and the locals in an attempt to restore normalcy. Efforts are being made to bring back peace to the region.

The dispute began after the State Government had promised to give the forestland to the SASB.

Many Muslims organisations in the Kashmir Valley were enraged, forcing the Government to back out on its decision.

This in turn enraged Hindus, and they launched a massive agitation in the Jammu region. The agitation has been on for over six weeks.

in escalating violence that so far has left 21 people dead in firing by security forces.

ANI