Srinagar, July 22: Kashmir Valley remained shut on Thursday even as curfew was lifted from the twin north Kashmir towns of Varmul and Sopur. However, prohibitory orders under Section 144 remained enforced across the summer capital here while protests broke out in Shopian district.
The restrictions in the volatile parts of the city’s downtown were a bit relaxed today. A thin movement of private vehicles was witnessed during the day, but prohibitory orders barring the assembly of four or more persons were imposed in the area. Police and CRPF personnel remained deployed across the old city today while roads in most of the areas were blocked by barricades and razor wires.
The situation remained peaceful during the day with no incidents of protests or stone pelting reported from anywhere. A similar situation prevailed in the uptown localities. Restrictions were imposed in the areas falling under the ambit of Batmaloo, Maisuma and Parimpora police stations.
Authorities lifted curfew from Varmul and Sopur towns. However, prohibitory orders remained in force even as police and CRPF remained deployed in the towns to check protests.
In Varmul, which has witnessed continued protests over the civilian killings during the one past week, situation remained peaceful during the day. Forces had blocked the three bridges connecting old town with the civil lines areas of the town.
In Shopian town in South Kashmir, people took out protest rallies against the civilian killings at the hands of police and CRPF. The protesters clashed with police and pelted stones on them. Police, however, chased them away by baton charging and lobbing tear smoke shells.
Witnesses said police also fired rounds of live ammunition in air. At least a dozen persons sustained injuries in the police action.
Restrictions were also imposed in old town Islamabad, Pulwama and Kulgam towns. Minor clashes between police and protesters took place at Malkahnag in Islamabad.
Reports of shutdown also poured in from the other districts and towns of the Valley.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST