Curfew relaxed in parts of Srinagar; toll mounts to 104

For the second time in as many days, authorities today announced relaxation in curfew in parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts even as the toll in the ongoing agitation rose to 104 after a youth succumbed to injuries in a hospital in Srinagar.

"There will be an indefinite relaxation in south, east and west zones of Srinagar city from 3pm onwards," a police spokesperson said.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar on September 12 and was extended to the entire Kashmir Valley the next day following widespread violence.

The prohibitory order was relaxed in a phased manner in Srinagar and other major towns yesterday but was being imposed strictly since last night.

"The authorities will be monitoring the law and order situation during the relaxation period and a decision will be taken accordingly," the spokesperson said.

He said there will be no relaxation in curfew in interior parts of Srinagar falling under north and Hazratbal zones. "A decision to relax curfew in these areas will be taken later," he said.

Earlier, the spokesperson said, curfew was relaxed in Ganderbal district town and adjoining Kangan town around noon.

Similarly, the authorities announced relaxation in curfew in Pulwama district town along with Awantipora town from 1pm to 4pm.

Although the relaxation period passed off peacefully yesterday, the authorities decided to impose the curfew strictly today apparently in view of the weekly agitation calendar issued by hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The toll in the ongoing agitation today rose to 104 after a youth, Sajad Ahmad Pandit, allegedly injured in firing by security forces on September 13 at Humhama in Budgam district, died at SKIMS Hospital here early this morning, the spokesman said.

As per Geelani's calendar of agitation, there was no protests and strikes today to enable people carry out their normal activities.

The police spokesperson said there was no untoward incident at night and the law and order situation across the valley far was normal and under control as per reports received till afternoon.

Curfew restrictions were in force in Srinagar city and all major towns of the valley.

The other curfew-bound towns include Warpora, Mirgund, IG road, Nadirgund, Budgam town, Choon, Humhama, Wattdara, Gogoo, Ompora, Narkara, Shiekhpora, Galwanpora, Chadoora, Panzan, Nagam, Machawa, Kralpora, Wathora, Dawlatpora, Hassipora, Alamdar Colony and Charar-i-Shareif in Budgam district in central Kashmir.

Ganderbal district town along with Kangan town in the North East of Srinagar, Anantang, Bijbehara, Kulgam town Qoimoh, Pulwama town, Kakapora, Shopian town, Awantipora, Lethpora, and Pampore in South Kashmir and Baramulla town, Delina, Pattan, Singhpora, Kunzar, Palhalan, Tangmarg, Soporetown, Wattergam, Kralpora, Trehgam, Kupwara town, Handwara town, Kulangam, Chotipora,Bandipora town, and Sumbal in north Kashmir also remained under curfew.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar city on September 12 and was extended to the entire Kashmir Valley next day following widespread violence.

Kashmir Valley has been in grip of violent protests since June 11 when a 17-year-old boy was killed after he was hit by a tear smoke shell fired by police to disperse protestors at Rajouri Kadal in interior city.