Curfew, restrictions remain in force in Kashmir Valley

As many as 55 persons were killed and several thousand others were injured in the clashes

Curfew in some parts and restrictions in rest of Kashmir remained in force for the 32nd day on Tuesday even as the situation across the Valley showed signs of improvement with the army assisting the police and paramilitary personnel in keeping troublemakers at bay.

"Curfew is in force in police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, Batamaloo and Maharajgunj in Srinagar city and Anantnag town in south Kashmir," a police official said.

He said restrictions on assembly of four or more people were in force in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

The official said the situation across the valley has showed signs of improvement since Monday as army personnel were helping police and paramilitary forces at many places to keep troublemakers away from roads.

"There were minor incidents of stonepelting on Monday and so far, no untoward incident has been reported today," the official added.

Violent protests rocked Kashmir a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

As many as 55 persons including two cops were killed and several thousand others were injured in the clashes between protestors and security forces.

Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 32nd consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and separatist sponsored strike against the killing of civilians in the security forces action.

Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices were closed while public transport remained off the roads.

The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the official said.

Mobile internet services remained snapped in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred.

The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 12. Meanwhile, a police spokesman said 20 persons including several security-men were injured in a clash between law enforcing agencies and protesters in Bijbehara on Srinagar-Jammu national highway today.

"A group of miscreants assembled near village Simthan on National Highway and tried to block the road by placing wooden logs and obstacles to restrict the vehicular traffic movement.

"The miscreants also smashed the panes of some vehicles and tried to stop the vehicles including trucks carrying essential commodities.

The police party headed by Station House Officer of Police station Bijbehara visited the spot to ensure smooth vehicular movement on the Highway, following which the miscreants resorted to stone pelting due to which 12 personnel were injured.

"In order to clear the National Highway and ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the security forces were compelled to use mild force, which caused injuries to eight miscreants."

"Two of them were referred to SMHS and SKIMS hospitals here for further treatment, and the condition of both is stable," a police spokesman said in a statement here.

He said minor stone pelting incidents were also reported from four other places in Anantnag, Sopore and Bandipora districts.

"Except for the five minor incidents of stone pelting by miscreants on police deployments in Anantnag, Sopore and Bandipora Districts, overall situation in the Valley remained normal and under control," the spokesman said.