Curfew relaxation brings respite in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 30 : People in Jammu and Kashmir got some respite on Saturday when a relaxation in curfew enabled them to venture out of their homes and purchase essential commodities.

On the third consecutive day today, curfew was relaxed in a phased manner for varying periods in different parts of the valley and the relaxation periods passed off peacefully.

A two hour relaxation around noon brought relief to people in the Srinagar.

This relaxation was from 11:00 p.m.-01:00 p.m. and was given in areas within the jurisdiction of nine police stations, Maisuma, Soura, Zakoora, Harwan, Nageen, Lal Bazar, Zadibal and Parimpora and Kralkhud.

However, the relaxation time was later extended by two hours.

The residents thronged the shops to purchase essential commodities and said that they felt relieved that they could breathe in fresh air.

"Today after seven days, curfew has been relaxed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and it is very natural that when we have come out of our homes after seven days we are happy, as we feel free to breath in fresh air," said Hameed, a resident.

Government is doing its best to keep the supply of essentials and eatables updated in the valley. As many as 500 load carriers with essentials and fuel arrived in the valley on Friday.

But, the residents still felt that the relaxation should have been extended for a few more hours.

"If they would have given us little more relaxation then the people could have bought medicine, milk and other commodities of daily use," said Sanam Aijaz, a resident.

The Kashmir and Jammu regions of the State have been in turmoil for past two months over the issue of a controversial shrine land row.

ANI