SRINAGAR: Curfew was relaxed in most of the parts of Kashmir on Thursday, while it was in its sixth day in at least 6 towns of the valley besides downtown Srinagar.
The clampdown since Saturday was aimed to prevent violence following the execution of Afzal Guru in Delhi’s Tihar jail.
Three youth have died and over 50 people, including many policemen, wounded so far.
However, due to relative calm on Wednesday the curfew was relaxed in many parts of the valley.
People came out of their homes and cars plied on the roads soon after. Mobile internet services, however, remain barred.
A police spokesperson said: “Curfew was relaxed in all areas of Budgam, Kupwara, Bandipora, Awantipora district since morning and Baramulla late in the afternoon.
In Sopore town, the curfew was relaxed from 4 pm onwards.”
He, however, added that the main towns of Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama in South Kashmir were given no relaxation.
“In north Kashmir, curfew remained in Kangan town in Ganderbal district. In Handwara, curfew was relaxed from all places except Langate and Kralgund,” he said.
“In Srinagar, the curfew was relaxed in areas of police stations, R.M Bagh, Kothibagh, Sadder, Rajbagh, Lalbazar, Shaheed Gung, Nigeen, Zakoora, Panthachowk, Parimpora, Bemina and Nowgam from this morning.”
However, police and paramilitaries in strength are still deployed in capital Srinagar and concertina wires block entry to the downtown Srinagar city, where a curfew is in force.
Police say the decision to period for the ease to remain is subject to the law and order situation.
Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called upon the people to converge at the “Martyr’s Graveyard” in Srinagar on Friday.
