Curfew lifted in Kashmir, situation generally peaceful
The situation was generally peaceful barring a few incidents where small groups of people came out and shouted slogans and threw stones at the security forces, police said.
Curfew was today lifted in the Kashmir valley, nearly a week after it was struck by fresh violence, as the situation remained generally peaceful but prohibitory orders have been clamped in Baramulla, Anantnag and Pulwama districts besides some parts of Srinagar.The situation was generally peaceful barring a few incidents where small groups of people came out and shouted slogans and threw stones at the security forces, police said. Twelve people, including one Farooq Ahmed of Narbal who was alleged to be a key instigator of violence in Sopore, were picked up as part of the crackdown on stone pelters."Curfew has been lifted from the valley. However, there are prohibitory orders in some parts of the city as well as in some other districts," inspector general Kashmir Region, Farooq Ahmad told PTI.The authorities relaxed curfew in Sopore in North Kashmir from 7 AM to 11 AM and later extended the relaxation period indefinitely as there was no untoward incident. Shops opened there despite a strike call given by hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.Some youths came out in Maisuma and Nowhatta areas ofSrinagar city but they were chased away by the police.Orders banning assembly of people have been enforced in Pulwama, Anantnag and Baramulla districts. Besides, downtown areas of Srinagar, Maisuma, Batamaloo and Nowhatta too are under such restrictions.Local newspapers failed to hit the stands for the fourth day today despite authorities lifting restrictions on movement of media persons. Some media associations have alleged that adequate number of curfew passes had not been issued. Media persons had also staged a demonstration yesterday.In the morning, chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah offered prayers at the graveyard of Farooq's mother Begum Akbar Jahan on her death anniversary.They were accompanied by a few hundred people at the graveyard on the banks of Dal Lake in Hazratbal.The chief minister also held a meeting with legislators of his National Conference and ally Congress who expressed "full faith and confidence" in his leadership. Curfew was clamped in Srinagar on Tuesday and army wascalled out to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order after escalation in violence in the valley.Omar has convened an all-party meeting in Srinagar tomorrow to discuss the present situation. The invitation was extended to all 12 recognised political parties and groups. Peoples Democratic Party and Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party have so far said they will stay away from the meeting dubbing it as a "purposeless exercise".