Srinagar, July 8: With Army staging fresh flag marches in many areas, Srinagar city witnessed another day of eerie calm on Thursday as police and paramilitary CRPF troopers enforced curfew strictly. However, nocturnal protests erupted in many city areas.  
No relaxations were given in the curfew anywhere. Residents across the old city areas remained confined to their homes, as police and CRPF troopers armed with automatic rifles and batons, didn’t allow any civilian movement. Troopers repeatedly yelled at civilians who attempted to move out.
The summer capital, mainly the volatile areas of the old city under the seven police stations, has been under curfew since June 24 with only a day of normalcy on July 4. Since then the restrictions have only grown severe.
People are facing acute shortage of essentials mainly milk and grocery items.
The uptown Srinagar also remained under curfew. The roads were deserted and dotted with the police and paramilitary troopers who had blocked roads at every junction by barricades and concertina wire.
The tourist hubs Dalgate and Boulevard Road also remained under curfew. Only a few tourist vehicles ferrying Amarnath Yatris could be seen plying in the area.
“The latest spell of curfew have shooed away whatever tourists were left here. They have been checking out of the houseboats and hotels before the dawn,” a hotelier said.
Nocturnal protests
Meanwhile, evening protests erupted in several areas here including Bemina, Batamaloo, Tengpora, Padshahi Bagh, Chanapora, Natipora, Nowhatta, Khanyar and several other localities.
Announcements asking people to assemble in Masjids were heard across the city, including the historic Jamia Masjid in old city. A large number of people assembled in the Jamia Masjid and joined protests.
Pertinently, the nocturnal protest were earlier witnessed in the Valley during early nineties when the armed uprising broke out.
Curfew may be relaxed
Authorities are likely to relax curfew for a few hours on Friday and on Saturday to allow people to participate congregational prayers, PTI said.
It said curfew would be relaxed for a few hours in the valley ahead of Friday prayers.
Again Saturday is important because of 'Meraj Alam', another significant day in Muslim calender, and curfew would be relaxed for people to participate in prayers, the PTI added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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