Curfew relaxed in Kashmir Valley, stone pelting in Pulwama

Srinagar, Sept 23 (PTI) Curfew was relaxed for a few
hours for the third consecutive day Thursday in most parts of
the Kashmir Valley in north India which remained largely
peaceful during the period barring incidents of stone pelting
in Pulwama town.
Curfew was relaxed in almost all parts of the Valley in a
phased manner for the third day in a row Thursday and the law
and order situation by and large remained peaceful, a police
spokesman said.
However, protesters hurled stones at the security forces
in Pulwama, prompting authorities to reimpose curfew in the
south Kashmir town.
As soon as curfew was relaxed, markets in Srinagar and
other major towns opened. While public transport remained off
the roads, private vehicles were seen plying in large numbers,
causing traffic jams at some busy intersections in the city.
Authorities relaxed curfew restrictions in Kakapora,
Lethpora, Tral and Awantipora towns in south Kashmir's Pulwama
district from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm, while in north eastern
Ganderbal and Kangan towns, it was relaxed from 1.00 to 3.00
pm, the spokesman said.
He said restrictions were also eased in East, West and
South zones of Srinagar city for an indefinite period from
3.00 pm onwards, while in North and Hazratbal areas of the
city, curfew was relaxed from 5.00 pm onwards.
In Anantnag and Bijbehara towns, curfew was relaxed
from 3.00 to 7.00 pm, and in Kralpora and Kupwara towns from
2.00 to 6.00 pm, the spokesman said.
In central Kashmir Budgam district, curfew was relaxed
in Shiekhpra amd Ompora from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm and in
Hydepora, PirBagh and Humhama from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
Curfew was also relaxed in Shopian town from 4.00 pm
onwards, he added.
The spokesman said, curfew was, however, re-imposed in
Pulwama town after incidents of stone pelting.
Earlier, curfew was imposed across Kashmir valley in
the wee hours Thursday even as the separatists called for a
break in their agitational programme.
Hardline separatist All Party Hurriyat Conference's
leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had Wednesday modified his
protest schedule to exempt Thursday and Friday from the
agitation alleging that the Government was causing hardship to
people by imposing indefinite curfew.
Curfew was relaxed in a phased manner across the Valley
Wednesday and the day before.
"The curfew in almost all the areas of the Valley has
been relaxed in a phased manner. The Government is aware of
the problems of the people and necessary steps are being taken
to ease the problems," official sources said.
Curfew restrictions continued to remain in force for
the 12th consecutive day in all the major towns of Kashmir
Valley, including the entire Srinagar, capital city of the
state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Curfew was imposed in Srinagar city on September 12
and was extended to the entire Kashmir Valley next day
following widespread violence.
Kashmir Valley has been in grip of violent protests
since June 11 when a 17-year-old boy was killed after he was
hit by a tear smoke shell during clashes at Rajouri Kadal in
interior city. PTI MIJ
SAK