Restrictions remain in force in Kashmir

Curfew-like restrictions continued for the fourth day in parts of Kashmir following killing of five persons in security forces action since Tuesday, even as mobile Internet services have been snapped across the Valley.
Strict restrictions have been imposed in some areas in north Kashmir, including Kupwara and Handwara towns, to maintain law and order, a police official said.
He said restrictions also continued in some police station areas of Srinagar city as a precautionary measure.
The affected police station areas include Maharajgunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safakadal and Maisuma, 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 a day after.

In the fresh spate of violence yesterday, 18-year-old Arif Hussain Dar was killed while three others sustained bullet injuries when army opened fire to disperse stone-pelting protestors outside a camp in Nathnusa area of Kupwara, 100 kms from here, the official said.
Mobile Internet services across Kashmir have been completely snapped to curb rumour mongering, the official said.
More than 40 security forces men were injured in the clashes yesterday, the official said.
Despite severe provocations, the deployment on ground exercised maximum restraint, he said.

Police have appealed to the public to maintain calm and
not to resort to violence.
Meanwhile, normal life remained affected elsewhere in the Valley due to strike called by separatist groups to protest the killing of the youth yesterday.
Shops, business establishments, private educational institutions and petrol pumps in most district headquarters of the Valley were shut, the official said.
Police and paramilitary CRPF have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas to foil any attempt to hold protests.
Most of the separatist leaders have either been arrested or kept under house arrest.
Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled for today. A spokesman of the varsity said fresh dates for these examinations would be notified later.