Srinagar, July 11: The Government on Sunday lifted curfew from the Kashmir Valley. However, prohibitory orders remained in place in old city areas of Srinagar, and in Varmul, Pulwama and Islamabad towns. The situation across the Valley remained peaceful with isolated incidents of protests and stone-pelting reported from a few places.
“The curfew has been lifted from all parts of the valley. However, prohibitory orders will continue to be in place in some parts of the city and in some districts,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Farooq Ahmad said.
Authorities had relaxed the curfew on Friday evening in view of the Shab-e-Meraj, but re-imposed it on Saturday in Maisuma and Batmaloo localities following the eruption of protests. In old city, police and paramilitary troopers, armed with automatic rifles and batons, were deployed in strength to thwart protests and processions.
Traffic remained off the roads while as shops and business establishments remained closed. A thin movement of private vehicles was witnessed on most of the routes.
The Hurriyat Conference (G) had called for a general strike today against the civilian killings at the hands of forces.
Mild protests broke out in Masiuma and Nowhatta localities during the day. Police swung into action and chased the protesters away.
A wire agency reported that at least 12 persons, including one Farooq Ahmed of Narbal, who was alleged to be a key instigator of protests in Sopur, were picked up as part of the crackdown on protesters.
Meanwhile in Sopur, the authorities relaxed curfew from 7 am to 11 am. The relaxations were extended indefinitely as no untoward  incident was reported from any part of the town.

PULWAMA
Curfew was lifted from Pulwama town amidst deployment of police on various sensitive locations while relaxations were given in Kakapora which has been under curfew since Monday. No incident of protest was reported from anywhere till the filing of this report in the evening. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in towns of Pampore and Awantipora in response to call given by Hurriyat (G) while Shopian town and its adjoining areas remained also closed during the day.

KHALID GUL ADDS FROM ISLAMABAD
After 12-days, curfew in Islamabad was lifted. Unlike the past few days when the violent clashes were witnessed during the relaxation period, the situation today remained relatively peaceful with reports of only sporadic clashes. Early in the morning, people came out to buy eatables and the day passed on peacefully.
However, sporadic clashes were witnessed in Sherpora area. The police chased the protesters and brought the situation under control.
A complete shutdown was observed as all the shops remained closed and the traffic was off the roads. The streets wore a deserted look as strict restrictions were enforced in many areas of the town.
Curfew restrictions in the civil lines area of Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) road were also eased today as for the first time since the Amarnath Yatra commenced, the Yatris were allowed to proceed towards Pahalgam during day time.
Curfew in the town was imposed on June, 29 following the cold blooded murder of three teenagers inside the residential house allegedly by police at Anchidora.
The residents of the town have been demanding stern punishment against the police men involved in the killing and have vowed to continue their protests till culprits are arrested and case filed against them.
“Despite the assurances of the Chief Minister of taking action against the accused involved in the murder within 24 hours police have not lodged a case of murder against the accused,” said the residents of Anchidora.
The family members of the victims have already rejected the magisterial enquiry and have refused to cooperate with the enquiry official. They are demanding judicial probe into the incident.
Meanwhile, a massive crackdown against the youth allegedly involved in the stone pelting continued with police conducting nocturnal raids and rounding up more youth.
“Two youth have already been booked under PSA for their involvement in stone pelting and have been shifted to Kotbal wal jail while a case of attempt to murder against another youth have been filed,” said a police official.
Mirwaiz South Kashmir, Qazi Yasir who has been booked under PSA is also lodged in Kotbalwal jail.
Shutdown continued in the neighboring areas of Bijbehara,Sangam, Mattan , Dooru and Achabal also.
Curfew was also lifted from Pulwama and Kakpora areas which had witnessed violent clashes. Reports of shutdown and sporadic protests were received from Kulgam too.
Meanwhile in Shopian town a youth named Shabir Ahmad Shah s/o Ghulam Ahmad Shah, 20, of Teng Mohalla was critically injured after he was allegedly beaten up by the policemen.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST