Kashmir unrest: Curfew lifted from all parts of state except Anantnag town

The government had tightened security across the valley to thwart the Anantnag march, fearing an outbreak of violent protests if people came out in large numbers to reach south Kashmir – the worst hit in the days of unrest that has left almost 50 people dead and thousands injured.

On Monday, leaders of both Hurriyat camps, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, were taken into custody in Srinagar, after they attempted to defy the curfew.

“Restrictions are in place in four districts – Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal and Kupwara- and remaining areas of Srinagar city”, he said.

Rajnath Singh told parliament on July 22 that the government planned to set up the panel to look for alternative to the pellet guns – used in a new surge of violence in Kashmir after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. While there were no official reports of anyone getting injured in the clashes, unconfirmed reports said at least a dozen protesters were hurt.

Shops, businesses and schools remained closed in Srinagar as separatists have asked people to hold strikes and street protests until Friday.

“Our programmes are always 100 percent peaceful and disciplined, but the police and the other Indian forces deliberately create trouble and then blame the pro-freedom people for that”, he said.

The government on Monday tightened security screws across the Kashmir Valley to thwart the Anantnag march, fearing an outbreak of violent protests if people at the instigation of separatists came out in large numbers to reach south Kashmir.

Referring to many members’ concerns over the use pellet guns, he said one person had died due to injuries caused by these weapons, while 53 suffered injuries in eyes.

However, the separatists have called for a three-day shutdown from Wednesday to July 29. They were shouting slogans till late midnight.