Rakib Altaf
SRINAGAR: A curfew in its fifth day after the hanging of Afzal Guru has been eased in many places across Kashmir valley.
People came out of homes and cars plied soon after the ease came into force in many parts of Srinagar, the capital and largest city of the valley.
The curfew was also relaxed in parts of Pulwama district in the south and Bandipora and Kupwara in the north. (Details)
Police sources said restrictions have been relaxed in view of a calm in the situation yesterday and may be re-imposed “if need be”.
However curfew remains in force in the old parts of Srinagar and many other places, particularly Baramulla in the north, after violent protests yesterday.
Thousands of Police and paramilitary in riot gear are deployed and rolls of concertina wire block entry to roads and streets.
On Tuesday five people were wounded in Sheeri village of Baramulla district. One among them, a teenager Muzammil Rather lost his eye after police and paramilitaries shot rubber bullets and pellets at protesters who attacked a minister’s cavalcade.
Separatist leaders have either been arrested or confined to their homes. Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has asked people to observe a shutdown till Friday and to converge at the “Martyr’s cemetery” that day.
Meanwhile many newspapers resumed publications on Wednesday, but reports say the distribution was restricted to the capital city alone. Mobile internet services, however, remain barred.
All examinations have been postponed.
Deaths and Injuries
The death toll so far is three and over 50 people including several policemen have been wounded.
Meanwhile the police has filed a case against the paramilitary CRPF for the killing of Obaid Mushtaq, who was wounded in the stomach and succumbed late Sunday night at the Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar.
The ninth class student was among the five injured in firing by police and paramilitaries on protesters at Watergaam village in Baramulla.
The case was filed after Nayeem Balkhi, the executive magistrate on duty during the curfew, held that the CRPF personnel used “excessive” and “unnecessary” force while dealing a minor stone-pelting incident.
Another youth of Watergaam, Sajad Ahmed who received a bullet in the head is still battling for life.
Two youth, Tariq Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed drowned on Sunday after they were fleeing from police and paramilitaries during clashes in a boat which capsized.
Police say 23 among the dozens wounded are policemen including two officers.
