Amid incessant rains and plummeted temperatures, several clashes occurred in Kashmir Valley between protsters and the security forces but the overall situation remained peaceful on the 51st day of the unrest that began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
Reports said several shops reopened in lal Chowk, Nawa Kadal and few other old city areas in the evening. Markets in Bandipora town also reopened in the evening hours after a gap of around five days.
Despite restrictions in Srinagar city, some private transport was seen on the roads on city outskirts and various inter-district roads.
later, police said that following improvement in the situation, there will be no restrictions in Kashmir Valley from Monday except in Pulwama town and the areas falling under the jurisdictions of Police station MR Gunj and Police Station Nowhatta.
A Government spokesman said that out of 10, 300 registered candidates, around 6000 candidates from Kashmir province appeared in the UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test) examination. Reports said thousands attended a peaceful pro-freedom protest rally at Jamia Masjid Ajas in north Kashmir’s Bandipora.
Incarcerated separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani addressed the rally telephonically. later, clashes with security forces erupted in the area. Reports said clashes erupted in Ashajipora area in south Kashmir’s Anantnag town after security forces picked up young protesters in nocturnal raids.
The residents alleged that the security forces ransacked residential houses and beat up inmates in adjoining Dabruna village. Reports said at least 15 people sustained injuries following the clashes after police and security forces foiled ‘pro-freedom’ protest rally at Dangerpora area in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
The authorities continued with the curfew and restrictions across the Valley. The curfew remains imposed in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Pampore towns.
The curfew was lifted in many parts of Srinagar and areas under Nowhatta, Khanyar and Maharaj Gunj Police stations and several other sensitive parts in old city remained under curfew. The restrictions under Sec 144 on assembly of people also remained in force in rest of the Valley. The night curfew remains in force in Srinagar since August 17.
Elaborate security arrangements had been put in place in Srinagar and elsewhere in Valley in view of continued shutdown call by the separatists. The separatists have extended the shutdown call till September 1.
Syed Ali Geelani continued to be under house detention for the past several months. Senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been detained at Sub Jail Cheshma Shahi in Srinagar since Friday evening. JKlF Chief Yasin Malik is already detained at Central Jail Srinagar following the unrest. Ailing Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah is under detention at Rajbagh police station Srinagar for the last 50 days.