Curfew goes, clashes continue

Ehsan Fazili

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 29

While curfew was lifted from most areas of the Kashmir valley today after 51 days of unrest, clashes amid a continued shutdown were reported from various areas of the summer capital and other districts, resulting in injuries to over two dozen civilians.

There was an eerie calm in the downtown areas of Srinagar where curfew was lifted after 33 days at a stretch. Curfew was lifted from five police station areas of the downtown area on July 26, but protests prompted the authorities to reimpose the restrictions.

In view of the improvement in the situation, the decision to lift restrictions in Srinagar, except areas under the police stations of Nowhatta and MR Gunj, was taken during a high-level meeting on Sunday evening.

Curfew was today lifted from other areas of the Kashmir valley, except Pulwama town in south Kashmir, said the police.

Incidents of stone-throwing and clashes were reported from Guzarbal, Babademb, Saidapora, Batamaloo and Chhanapora areas of the city, in which several protesters were injured as the police and CRPF lobbed teargas shells to quell demonstrators.

Movement of public transport was allowed on the roads, which had remained deserted due to curfew, restrictions and separatists’ shutdown calls.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and public transport remained off roads. Educational institutions continue to remain closed as the government had announced fortnight-long summer vacation.

There were reports of clashes amid shutdown in other areas of the Valley, including Sangam in Anantnag, Gandwani and Shol Batango in Kulgam, Nadihal Chowk in Sopore, Brambari and Rekhipora in Kupwara and Kaloosa in Bandipora, said a police spokesman.

“There were clashes and rallies amid a continued shutdown in several areas of south Kashmir as deployment of security forces continued without any change,” said a report from south Kashmir. Civilian movement was allowed without any restriction, said a report from Anantnag.

Protests were organised at Gandwini in Kulgam, in which at least 10 persons were injured. Rallies were held at Batengoo in Anantnag district and Aglar in Pulwama district.

There were demonstrations and clashes at other places, including Achchabal in Anantnag district and Livar in the Pahalgam area.

The moderate Hurriyat faction asked the government to “come clean” on the detention of its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was lodged at a guest house in Cheshma Shahi for the past three days.