Kashmir: Separatist camp extends shutdown call till August 18

Curfew was today extended to many areas in Kashmir while severe restrictions were imposed in rest of the Valley to thwart a planned march by separatists to Eidgah in old city.

"Curfew has been imposed in entire Srinagar district, Anantnag town, Shopian town, Baramulla town, Awantipora and Pampore towns of Pulwama district," a police official said.

He said curfew was also imposed in Ganderbal town, Budgam, Chadoora, Magam, Kunzer, Tangmarg and Pattan areas of the Valley as a precautionary measure. In rest of the Valley, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the people, the official said.

Last Friday saw intense clashes between protesters and security forces at many places in the Valley after the congregational prayers. The clashes left three people dead and several hundred others injured.

The separatists, who are holding protests in the Valley, had called on the people to assemble at Eidgah in old city for paying tributes to those killed in security forces action over the past 34 days during violent protests against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last month.

Normal life remained affected in the Valley for the 35th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and the separatist sponsored strike. As many as 55 persons, including two police personnel, were killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces.

Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads. The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the official said.

Mobile telephony services were snapped, except the postpaid services of state-run BSNL, at midnight as a precautionary measure to curb "rumour mongering". Mobile internet services continued to remain snapped in the entire Valley.

The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 18 and called for a march at Lal Chowk on August 13 and 14.