Kashmir unrest: Curfew imposed in Handwara

Curfew was on Saturday imposed in Handwara town of north Kashmir, while the curbs were in force in three police station areas of Srinagar, even as normal life remained affected in the Valley for the 78th consecutive day.

"Curfew has been imposed in Handwara town of Kupwara district, while it remains in force in three police station areas of downtown (interior city) Srinagar," a police official said.

He said the curbs on the movement of people remained in force in Nowhatta, Khanyar and M R Gunj police station areas of the summer capital of the state.

"Curfew has been imposed in view of the apprehensions of law and order problems," the official said.

He said the curbs have been lifted from four police station areas of the city, where they were imposed yesterday in view of the apprehensions of law and order problems after Friday congregational prayers.

The official said restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 CrPc would remain in force in the rest of the Valley.

The separatists, who are spearheading the current agitation in the Valley, have extended the protest programme till September 29, but have announced periods of relaxation in the strike on some days, unlike the previous week's protest programme where there was no relaxation.

They have called for marches to various tehsil headquarters across the Valley today and have announced a 12-hour relaxation from 6 pm.

Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain disturbed in Kashmir for the 78th straight day due to restrictions and separatist sponsored strike.

Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley, while public transport was off the roads.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions also continued to remain shut.

Mobile Internet services also remained suspended, while the outgoing calls on prepaid numbers continued to remain barred across the Valley.

As many as 82 people, including two cops, have been killed in the unrest that broke out a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir on July 8.