Authorities on Wednesday lifted curfew from Kashmir Valley, first time since the present unrest began, while clashes erupted at some places between youths and government forces.
“Curfew has been lifted from the entire valley. Restrictions preventing assembly of five or more persons under section 144 CrPc will remain in force,” a police official said here.
After the forces were removed from Nowhatta area of old Srinagar city on Wednesday morning, youths took to the roads.
Forces were rushed back to quell the protests after which the protesters started pelting stones at them.
Similar clashes were witnessed in Tengpora area and north Kashmir’s Sopore town.
People were seen buying vegetables, milk, bread and other essentials of life on Wednesday morning from vendors and bakers in Srinagar city.
Private transport moved on uptown city roads, but main markets, public transport and educational institutions remained closed for 54th consecutive day.
The separatists have called for protest shutdown till Thursday through a weekly protest calendar which they have been issuing ever since the present unrest started here.
Army Wednesday morning allegedly disallowed the fruit dealers from carrying out business at fruit mandi Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
A businessman told Kashmir Post, “Since the unrest erupted in Kashmir, we normally carry out business during wee hours of morning up to 9:00 am. But on Wednesday Army’s 22 RR unit was already stationed there and disallowed us from carrying out business. It irked some people.”
Following the interference by Army’s 22 RR unit, people turned angry and raised slogans against the Army resulting in clashes.
Reports said scores of people are said to be injured by army action.
SP Sopore Harmeet Singh told Kashmir Post, “There were two incidents of stone pelting in Sopore on Wednesday morning, one at fruit mandi and another at Ladoora. At both the places Army vehicles came under heavy stone pelting. The forces exercised maximum restrain, however, few people suffered minor injuries.”
At least 70 people have been killed and over 11,000 injured in the ongoing violence that started here on July 9, a day after the killing of top militant, Burhan Wani.
