Curfew remains in force in Kashmir Valley on 8th day

Srinagar, July 16: Curfew on Saturday remained in force across Kashmir and normal life paralysed for the eighth day in the wake of clashes following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani that has left 38 persons dead and over 3100 injured.

"Curfew continues to remain in force in all 10 districts of Kashmir valley today as precautionary measure for maintaining law and order," a police official said. He said the decision to continue the curfew was taken in view of large number of stone-pelting incidents across the valley on Friday.

Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders, the official said. Mobile telephone services in the Valley also remained suspended to prevent any rumour-mongering.

"Only postpaid connections of BSNL are working," the official said.

Mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended for the seventh day on Saturday while trains are also off the tracks in the Valley as a precautionary measure.

Violent protests rocked Kashmir last weekend following killing of Burhan Wani and two of his associated in an encounter with security forces on July 8 in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

In the ensuing clashes with security forces, 38 persons including a cop have been killed while 3140 persons including 1500 security force personnel have been injured. Normal life has remained paralysed since Saturday in Kashmir on account of separatist sponsored-strike and curfew-like restrictions imposed by authorities.

The separatists groups -- both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF -- have been issuing strike calls, a practice reminiscent of 2010 summer agitation. The separatists groups yesterday extended the strike call till Monday evening.

PTI