Kashmir remains tense, mobile internet suspended

Curfew-like restrictions continued for the second day in parts of Kashmir and mobile internet services were today suspended in some areas as tension prevailed in the Valley following killing of four persons in action by security forces during violent protests since Tuesday.
Strict restrictions have been imposed in Kupwara town, Kralgund, Handwara, Magam and Langate areas in north Kashmir to maintain law and order, a police official said.
He said the restrictions were imposed following death of three persons during protests against alleged molestation of a girl by a soldier in Handwara town on Tuesday. Another youth was killed in Drugmulla area of Kupwara during protests against the Handwara incident yesterday.

Restrictions also continue in six police station areas of Srinagar city where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting were reported through the day yesterday, the official said.
He said the affected police station areas include Safakadal, Maharajgunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Maisuma.
Normal life remained affected in the Valley due to a strike call by separatist groups. Markets remained closed while public transport was off the roads due to the strike.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in north Kashmir areas to curb the menace of rumour mongering, the official said.
Although the situation in most of the Valley has been peaceful so far, isolated cases of stone-pelting have been reported from some parts including south Kashmir's Kulgam town, he said.

(REOPENS DEL10)
Educational institutions in the Valley were closed on account of the ongoing summer vacations, while Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Kashmir University, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) have postponed the examinations due to the prevailing situation.
The strike and restrictions have led to mass cancellation of wedding functions in the Valley.
Man people are organizing marriage ceremonies in a simple manner without the traditional feast, inviting just few close relatives and friends.
Every day, the Valley-based newspapers are filled up with classified advertisements announcing cancellation of wedding functions.

The separatist groups have extended the strike call for the fourth time since Wani s killing.
Earlier, on July 8, they called for a one-day strike to protest his killing.The strike was then extended for two more days to protest the killings of civilians in firing allegedly by security forces.
The shutdown call was again extended on Monday.Then, yesterday, the separatists asked people to observe the strike for two more days till Friday.
Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq tried to defy restrictions yesterday to march towards Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of Srinagar.

However, both of them were detained by the police. Later, they were released from detention and kept under house arrest.