Fresh protests in Handwara as restrictions lifted briefly

Srinagar, Apr 18: Fresh protests broke out today in Handwara and neighbouring areas of Kupwara district in north Kashmir, prompting authorities to reimpose curfew-like restrictions which were relaxed for a few hours this morning, while mobile internet services have been restored in the Valley.

Authorities lifted the restrictions on movement of people for three hours in Kupwara town in the district and the relaxation was further extended as there was no report of any untoward incident there, a police official said.

The twin towns of Handwara and Kupwara had been rocked by violent protests that left five persons dead since last Tuesday.

After a lull yesterday, fresh protests broke out today in Handwara, Kralgund and Trehgam areas. "Restrictions have been imposed again in Handwara, Kralgund and Trehgam areas of Kupwara district following violent protests," a police official said.

Around 150 youths started pelting stones in Handwara town as authorities relaxed the restrictions for three hours from 8.00 AM to 11. 00 AM, the official said.

"The protesters were chased away and there was no damage done in the incident," he added. Mobile internet services, which were snapped in the Valley following violent protests over the alleged molestation of a girl by an army soldier on Tuesday, were restored a little past midnight as there was no major incident of protest or violence yesterday, an official said today.

Three persons including a woman were killed in firing by security forces on protesters on Tuesday while two more persons were killed in separate security forces action against violent protestors on Wednesday at Drugmulla and on Friday at Nathnusa.

PTI