Shut-down continues across Valley for 53rd Day; Protests in Sopore, Clashes in Bandipora

Shut-down called by the resistance leadership continued in Kashmir on Tuesday despite relaxation of curfew in the Valley.

“Except for Pulwama town and two police station areas of Nowhatta and M.R.Gunj in Srinagar, there would be no curfew anywhere in the Valley,” a senior police official said.

“In order to maintain law and order, restrictions under section 144 CrPc will, however, continue.”

Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh is arriving here on September 4 heading an all party delegation to the Valley which will hold meetings with local leaders aiming to stop the unrest.

Officials, however, said the delegation has no plans to meet any separatist leader who have been put under detention.

Separatists have extended their protest shut-down call up to September 1 asking people not to resume normal activities.

Despite lifting of curfew, no major markets or public transport moved on the roads in summer Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley on Tuesday.

A peaceful demonstration was staged in Hathlangoo area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.
People, including women and elderly, took part in the demonstration to demand resolution of the Kashmir issue by implementing UN resolutions.
Clashes broke out on early Tuesday morning in Bandipora town between people and government forces when police party was making rounds around the market area.
Clashes were still going on as last reports came in.
Meanwhile residents of Ajas and Saidnura took to roads on Tuesday morning and lodged protests against the high-handedness of government forces.

For the last 53 days, all educational institutions have also remained closed.

So far, 70 people including 68 civilians and two policemen have been killed and over 11,000 injured in the unrest that started here on July 9.