Curfew-like restrictions eased in most parts of Valley

Curfew-like restrictions were eased after two-days today in most parts of Kashmir today but normal life in the valley remained disrupted due to the strike call given by separatists to mark the 20th death anniversary of JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat.

Police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed in strength in vulnerable areas of the valley including several parts of Srinagar city but people were allowed to move around freely.

However, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, which bans assembly of four or more persons, continued in Maisuma and downtown areas of the summer capital of the state.

Concertina wires were placed at all exit points of Maisuma locality to prevent JKLF activists from taking out any protest march. A handful of JKLF activists assembled at Maisuma this morning but were taken into preventive custody by police immediately.

Separatists groups had called for a three-day strike from Sunday to mark the death anniversaries of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and Bhat, following which curfew-like restrictions were imposed in most parts of the Valley on February 9 which continued yesterday as well.

Guru was hanged to death and buried inside Tihar jail last year while Bhat was executed and buried inside the jail premises on this day 20 years ago.