Curfew lifted from South Kashmir towns, except Shopian

, Sept 14 :

was lifted from parts of Kulgam and Pulwama districts on Saturday, while it remained in force in Shopian township for third consecutive day following killing of five persons in firing by security forces.

"The curfew has been lifted from everywhere except Shopian town, where it will continue even on Saturday," a police spokesman said. He said the restrictions were lifted as the situation remained by and large peaceful in these areas, barring a few minor clashes.

However, he said, as a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders will remain in force in Shopian township. While four persons, including three civilians, were killed in CRPF firing last Saturday, another youth was killed in firing on protesters on Wednesday outside Gagran camp of the force in Shopian.

The protesters were demanding removal of the clamp and arrest of the personnel involved in firing incident last week. Following the killing, curfew was re-imposed in Shopian township on Thursday.

Curfew continues in Shopian on Day 3

The state government has ordered a magisterial probe into the killings and directed the District Magistrate to submit his report within one month.

The Government also directed DGP Ashok Prasad to replace the CRPF personnel at Gagran camp with Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police. Meanwhile, a two-day strike has been called by hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani to protest the killings.

Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the city as well as in major towns in the Valley as a precautionary measure, officials said. Geelani on Thursday called for a two-day shutdown from today to protest the killings.

PTI