Kashmir turmoil: Curfew continues in Valley

Srinagar

A relatively peaceful day was witnessed yesterday in the Valley where the death toll stands at 42 with over 3400 injured in the clashes since Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani's killing on July 8.

Curfew was imposed to curb the clashes in the aftermath of Wani's killing in an encounter in south Kashmir.

"Curfew will continue in all the 10 districts of Kashmir Valley today as well," a police official said.

He said the decision to continue the curfew was taken to maintain law and order in the Valley as separatist groups have called for observing a 'black day' to protest the recent killings in Kashmir.

Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders, the official said.

He said the situation across the Valley is so far peaceful.

Yesterday, the curfew-bound Valley witnessed the first peaceful day since killing of Wani as no major incident of violence took place.

Though there were few minor incidents of stone pelting at four places in Pulwama, Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, the day passed off peacefully in rest of the Valley, the official said.

Meanwhile, normal life remained paralysed for the 12th day today due to separatist-sponsored strike, which has now been extended till July 22.

In a joint statement, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik on Monday said the shutdown in the Valley will continue till July 22.

However, they have announced a relaxation of half day from 2 PM onwards tomorrow.

The schools and colleges in the Valley continue to remain closed after the government extended the summer vacations till July 25.

Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut, while the Government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance.

Mobile telephony and mobile Internet services also remained shut while newspapers failed to hit stands.