Curfew in south Kashmir to prevent separatist called march

Srinagar, July 25: Authorities on Monday imposed curfew in four south Kashmir districts to prevent a separatists called protest march.

Police said strict curfew will remain in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama districts while restrictions will continue in parts of Srinagar, Kupwara, Sopore and Baramulla.

Separatists have called for the protest march in Anantnag.

All senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah have been either placed under house arrest or taken into preventive custody by the authorities ever since the ongoing unrest started in the Valley on July 9.

The separatists have extended their protest shutdown call till July 29.

Reminiscent of 2010 unrest, separatists have started issuing weekly protest calendars in the Valley.

Meanwhile, another injured youth Sameer Ahmad Wani succumbed to injuries on Sunday evening increasing the death toll to 49.

The summer vacations for schools and colleges in the Valley officially ended on Sunday.

State Education Minister Naeem Akhtar confirmed the end of the vacations.

"It is now for the district administrations of various districts in the Valley to decide which educational institutions should start functioning in their area," Akhtar said.

IANS