Restrictions on assembly of people lifted in Kashmir

There are no restrictions or curfew anywhere in the Valley today, a police spokesman said. He, however, said security forces have been deployed at sensitive places to maintain law and order.

Even as the curbs were lifted, normal life in Kashmir continued to remain affected as the unrest in the Valley, in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July, entered into its third month.

While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, markets in Srinagar and other places come to life late in the evening in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by separatists on some days.

The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation, have extended the shutdown programme till September 16.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed. However, the attendance in government offices and banks has improved a lot.

There was a heavy rush of customers outside various banks in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk this morning. Public transport also continued to be off the roads, while there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws especially in the civil lines areas of the city.

The violence, in the wake of Wani's killing in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, has left 73 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured.