J&K: Curfew lifted, mobile internet services restored

Srinagar, Feb 16: Mobile Internet services were restored in the Kashmir Valley after remaining suspended for a week in the wake of hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru.

The Internet services, which were snapped last Saturday, were restored late on Friday evening, providing relief to nearly five lakh mobile Internet subscribers in the Valley.

Internet services were snapped as a precautionary measure as authorities apprehended that trouble-makers may misuse social networking tools for fomenting trouble by spreading rumours.

The decision to snap the services had come in for sharp criticism from rights groups, which termed it as a gag on freedom of expression.

Curfew was on Saturday lifted from Kashmir Valley, a week after it was imposed following hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru.

"Curfew has been lifted from all the ten districts in the Valley," a police spokesman said.

However, normal life remained affected as Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday extended the strike over Guru's execution and in support of the demand for return of his body to his family, till Sunday.

Shops and business establishments remained closed, while public transport was off the roads due to the strike call.

Private vehicles could be seen plying on the roads in the city and other major towns in the Valley.

A police spokesman said the situation across the Valley was peaceful and there were no reports of any untoward incident.

Curfew was imposed in Kashmir last week following execution of Guru inside Tihar Jail in Delhi.

Three persons died and over 60 others injured including 25 policemen in the clashes between protesters and security forces following Guru's execution.

PTI