No curfew in Srinagar, continues in south Kashmir

Curfew continued in south Kashmir districts on Wednesday while only restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar city and elsewhere after it was lifted on Tuesday in the tense valley.

"There will be no curfew in the Kashmir Valley today (Wednesday) except in Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama," a senior police official said here.

"Restrictions will, however, remain imposed at places where breach of peace by anti-social elements is apprehended," the official said.

Restrictions were enforced in Rajouri Kadal and adjacent areas in old Srinagar city where a 61-year-old man died in Eidgah area on Tuesday after he lost control on his two-wheeler vehicle during clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces.

The separatists had asked people to start normal activities from Tuesday afternoon, but angry youths showed up at various places in Srinagar and elsewhere forcing the shops to remain shut.

Many masked youths placed obstructions on old city roads and the outskirts to ensure the separatists' call to resume half day's normalcy was defied.

The separatists had called for a valley wide shutdown till July 29, except for opening of businesses so that people could buy essentials from 2 p.m. onwards on Tuesday.

Clashes broke out between stone-pelting protesters and the security forces at more than 40 places across the valley after curfew was lifted from Srinagar city and other districts on Tuesday.

Security forces did not use firearms to quell angry mobs anywhere during the clashes.

Over 50 people have died in clashes between demonstrators and the security forces as Kashmir Valley is on edge since July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

--IANS

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