Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 23: Curfew was lifted from parts of Kashmir today while in rest of Valley it continued with normal life remaining disrupted for 15th day today after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzzafar Wani.
The curfew continued in five police station areas of Old City while as the authorities didn’t impose any kind of restrictions or curfew at Batamaloo and Habba Kadal areas. The curfew, however, also continued in restive Maisuma area of the City Centre.
Hundreds of youth staged massive protests at Batamaloo and Habba Kadal areas this morning soon after the curfew was lifted from these areas. The youth at Habba Kadal took out a procession. Though the protest ended peacefully but stone-throwing clashes raged later in the area.
At Batamaloo, massive clashes between security forces and youth erupted after protests and continued for several hours. The youths burnt tyres on the streets and clashed with security forces who responded by firing teargas shells. The area was later placed under restrictions as CPRF and Police personnel were deployed to prevent further violence.
The South Kashmir areas also continued to remain under curfew but there was no major incident of violence. However, clashes broke out between youths and forces at Awantipora, Tral and some other areas.
Pampore and its adjoining areas remained tense after last evening’s firing incidents of Chursu and Kakapora in which a youth was killed and another was critically injured.
Two youth were detained by police from Pampore that led to protests by locals. However, they were later let off.
At Chadoora in Budgam district of Central Kashmir, scores of protesters attacked local police station after which forces resorted to massive teargas shelling and aerial firing.
The clashes also raged in several parts of North Kashmir including Bomai, Sopore and Kralpora in Kupwara. A police official said that overall the situation Valley remained peaceful compared to Friday when clashes rocked the region and claimed youth’s life in forces action.
Curfew was today lifted from four districts of Kashmir and parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas.
Police said curfew was lifted from Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and some parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas. However, restrictions on assembly of four or more people under Section 144 CrPC continued in the areas where curfew has been lifted.
The train services between Banihal and Baramulla remained suspended for 15th consecutive day today. All the roads and National Highway remained shut during the day. However, during the night the National Highway remained open for traffic under tight security.
The mobile phone services and internet also remained shut while only BSNL postpaid and broadband internet and landlines have remained unaffected. These services are mostly used for communication by police, security forces and Government officials. The authorities have already made it clear that the cellular services would be restored only after there are signs of improvement in situation. However, sources said that the government is under intense pressure over the snapping of mobile telephony and they may be restored soon.
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