Curfew to continue in South Kashmir and Srinagar for 34th consecutive day

In Jammu and Kashmir, curfew will continue in Anantnag town in South Kashmir and in areas under five old city police stations and Batmaloo police station in uptown Srinagar.

Curfew-like restrictions will also continue in Kupwara, Handwara, Langate, Trehgam, Lalpora, Kralpora and adjacent areas in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

According to police officials, restrictions will continue in south Kashmir's Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts and also in Budgam, Ganderbal, Sopore, Bandipora and Baramulla.

Yesterday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has claimed that curfews in the Valley were not prolonged and were revoked soon according to the situation, adding that the separatists were creating an aura of fear in the Valley, which was invoking a curfew-like situation as people lived in fear.

"Since 9th July, their so-called leaders have maintained on prolonging protest. Even the areas even where there is no curfew, out of fear, the shops remain closed. I want to laud the state government for functioning effectively despite all the hurdles thrown in their way. I'm not saying that the situation is completely under control, but the state government is ensuring the daily lives of the people continue unhindered," Rajnath had said in his statement in the Rajya Sabha.

Asserting that the Centre is ready for talks on the matter, Rajnath announced that an all-party meeting will be convened on August 12 at 12 PM.

The Opposition earlier came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not addressing the concerns of the Kashmiris in Parliament.