J&K: Curfew relaxed for 12 hours in Bhaderwah, educational institutions likely to reopen on Monday

Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jun 18: Curfew was relaxed for 12 hours from 7 am in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah on Saturday as the overall situation in the town, which witnessed communal tension days ago, remained peaceful, officials said.

Curfew was imposed in Bhaderwah in Doda district on June 9 following communal tension in the wake of protests over remarks by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad and some social media posts by local right-wing activists in her support.

Announcing the curfew relaxation from 7 am to 7 pm, the officials said all educational institutions will remain closed for the 10th day on Saturday as a precautionary measure and are likely to reopen on Monday.

Broadband and mobile internet services remained suspended across Doda and are expected to be restored after a fresh review of the situation by senior civil and police officers later in the day, they said. Police vehicles fitted with public address systems were seen making rounds in the Bhaderwah, informing residents about the relaxation in the curfew and requesting their cooperation in maintaining law and order. Normal activities resumed in the town with the announcement of relaxation in curfew. People stepped out of their homes to buy milk, bread and other essentials.

The curfew was first relaxed in Bhaderwah for two hours on June 15, followed by five hours in two phases on June 16 and four hours on June 17. The relaxation periods passed off peacefully. Police and security forces are deployed in strength in the town to maintain law and order, the officials said.