A 52-day curfew in Indian-held Kashmir that has witnessed violent protests since the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani last month, was lifted today except in Pulwama district and some parts of Srinagar.
Restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code or CrPC will, however, remain enforced which prohibits unlawful assembly of 10 or more people.
“Following an improvement in the situation, there will be no restrictions in Kashmir Valley from tomorrow except town Pulwama and the areas falling under the jurisdictions of Police Station M R Gunj and Police Station Nowhatta,” a police spokesman said Sunday evening. These police stations are in Old Srinagar City.
A government spokesman said the Valley was largely peaceful Sunday, barring a few incidents of stone-throwing in south Kashmir — in Sangam, Ashajipora in Anantnag and Nadigam in Shopian.
The government crackdown against separatist leaders and their supporters, however, continued across the Valley. In recent days, police have detained dozens of separatists during night raids.
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A complete shutdown was observed in Rajouri, Poonch and adjoining areas against the civilian killings in Kashmir and to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, where 86 people have been killed in forces’ action during the past 51 days.
The occupied territory is on the boil since the extra-judicial murder of the top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Burhan Wani, by Indian troops on July 8.
At least 86 people have been killed while over 80,00 injured so far in the firing of bullets, pallets, and teargas shells on peaceful protesters by Indian troops and police personnel.
Many of those injured have been hit in the eyes with pellets, causing partial or complete blindness.
It is being termed as the worst violence to hit the Himalayan region since 2010.
Kashmir is split between India and Pakistan along a UN-monitored line of control, but both claim it in full and have fought two wars over its control.
Freedom fighters have fought Indian security forces in Kashmir since 1989 for the independence of the region or for it to be made part of Pakistan.
The conflict has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.
Read more: Kashmir unrest: Death toll rises to 85