Curfew, shutdown extended in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 31: Authorities on Sunday continued curfew and restrictions in the Kashmir Valley as the separatists have extended their protest shutdown programme till August 5.

A senior police officer said the curfew would continue in the districts of Pulwama, Kulgam and parts of Shopian town while restrictions will remain in many other parts of the Valley including old city areas of Srinagar.

The officer said the security forces are handling the law and order situation with extreme caution and restraint.

"Force is only used to prevent large scale violence and destruction of public property by anti-social elements" he said.

Hundreds of candidates sitting for the common entrance test (CET) from all the ten districts started reaching Srinagar city in the morning.

CET is being conducted by the board of professional entrance examinations (BOPEE) of the state for admission to MBBS course to various colleges in the state.

Candidates had started reaching the offices of the district magistrates in various districts since the wee hours of Sunday morning.

"No untoward incident has taken place anywhere during the passage of candid tes from various district headquarters to Srinagar," a senior official said.

BOPEE officials have already shifted many centres from old city areas of Srinagar city to safer uptown areas.

Meanwhile, the separatists have issued a fresh protest calendar to extend the ongoing shutdown till August 5.

Separatists have asked people to resume normal activities of life from 6 p.m. each day till August 5.

IANS