Curfew lifted; normal life resumes in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR: Normal life resumed in Kashmir on Tuesday after authorities lifted the two-day-old curfew from all 10 districts of the Valley as the situation remained peaceful during the restriction period, official sources said.

Curfew was imposed in Kashmir Valley from Saturday midnight "to prevent any loss of life or property" in the wake of separatist leaders' call for a march to Lal Chowk on Monday in support of their demand for right to self determination.

The decision to lift the curfew from 5 am on Tuesday was taken by the state government after reviewing the situation in the valley yesterday after huge deployment of security forces and sealing of entry and exit points in the city foiled the march, they said.

The authorities decided to withdraw the curfew keeping in mind the difficulties faced by the people, sources said.

As soon as the police vans fitted with public address systems announced lifting of curfew, residents across the city came out of their homes to buy groceries and other essential items.

They said schools, colleges, offices, shops and business establishments also opened after remaining closed for two days on account of curfew.

Barring a couple of incidents of violation, the curfew period passed off peacefully. There were stray incidents of protests in Baramulla town and stonepelting in some parts of downtown city yesterday.