A semblance of normalcy returned to Kashmir on Monday morning as the authorities announced to lift curfew from the region except in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town and the areas under two police stations in old Srinagar. However, the restrictions were re-imposed in the afternoon in several localities when incidents of stone-pelting reoccurred and shopkeepers and transporters continued to pay heed to separatist groups’ shutdown call.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of private vehicles were seen on interior roads in old Srinagar, which seldom got relaxation in curfew during the past 51 days since massive uprising erupted in Kashmir triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
Even as no major untoward incident was reported from any part of the Valley, reports said that clashes erupted between protesters and the security forces in the afternoon in several areas of Srinagar city including Batamaloo. Reports said that soon after the clashes, the security forces were redeployed in huge numbers and people were asked to remain indoors. locals said that after protests people were not allowed to move on roads.
A police statement issued in the evening said that minor incidents of stone pelting were reported from over 12 places in Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Sopore, Kupwara and Bandipora. “Except for these incidents, the overall situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the Kashmir valley till filing of this report. Greater movement of traffic and people was observed across the valley including the Srinagar city,” police spokesman said.
A large number of private vehicles were seen plying on roads in the capital Srinagar that facilitated a large number of Government employees to reach their offices. The public transport, however, continued to be off the roads.
A large number of people turned to bank branches spread across the city to make transactions. However, schools, colleges and other educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed due to the strike called by separatists groups on the 52nd consecutive day. The separatists have already exempted the essential services from the shutdown programme.
Reports of clashes between stone-pelters and security forces were also received from Chadoora, Kremshora and Mazhama areas of central Budgam district. Reports said the clashes erupted between the protesters and security forces in north Kashmir’s Ajas and Bandipora areas of Bandipora district. Reports said people protested in Nowgam-Shahabad in Anantnag district and came out on roads demanding release of a local youth. Reports said the residents of liver village near the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir alleged that army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police barged into their homes and ransacked and beat up the inmates.
The authorities have detained all top-level separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah.
Apart from over 1500 detentions of young protesters, the authorities have booked many youths and some lower rung Hurriyat leaders under Public safety Act (PSA) who are alleged to be involved in the stone pelting and leading anti-India protests. The state can detain a person without trial for a year under the PSA.
At least 67 civilians and 2 policemen have died in the unrest since July 9, the bloodiest day that recorded the killing of 12 protesters. Thousands of civiliansn and security personnel have sustained injuries with more than 500 persons hit with pellets in their eyes Hundreds of grievously injured persons with bullets, pellets and tear gas shells are being treated at various hospitals.
The separatists groups who are spearheading the stir have extended the shutdown programme till September 1.