Restrictions lifted in Srinagar

Authorities today lifted restrictions in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while the curbs on the movement of people in Kupwara continued for the fifth day following killing of five persons in security forces action since Tuesday. Mobile Internet services remain snapped across the Valley. A police official said there are no restrictions in Srinagar today.

He said the restrictions, imposed on Wednesday in six police station areas of the city, were lifted as there were no major protests on Saturday and no call for shutdown or protests.

However, the official said, strict curbs in some areas in north Kashmir, including Kupwara and Handwara towns, were in force for the fifth day to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, normal activities resumed today elsewhere in the Valley as no separatist group has called for a strike for today.

While the government offices and educational institutions remained shut on account of Sunday, shops, fuel stations and other business establishments opened after four days in the city here and across other districts, the official said, adding public transport was back on roads.

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 fresh violence on Friday, 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.

Two persons were injured in violent clashes that took place in Trehgam area of Kupwara district yesterday.Both the injured were shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment.

Mobile Internet services across Kashmir continued to remain completely snapped to curb the menace of rumour mongering, the official said. He said the ban on the services may be revoked later today after assessing the situation.