Kashmir, September 24: For the 13th day on Friday, curfew continued in all major towns of Kashmir valley, barring some parts of Sopore town.
Curfew was lifted on Friday morning for three hours in parts of north Kashmir’s Sopore town, 55 kms from Srinagar, a police spokesman said.
There were no reports of any untoward incident from any part of the Valley so far.
The hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani modified his protest schedule to exempt Friday from the agitation. The valley will observe a protest shutdown Saturday and Sunday.
Curfew was relaxed in a phased manner across the Valley on Thursday to provide relief to the residents. The situation remained by and large peaceful, barring a stone pelting incident on security forces at Pulwama, where curfew was reimposed immediately.
However, relaxation in curfew might be announced late in the evening today in view of the Friday prayers, which have often been followed by violent protests.
Besides Srinagar city, the other places where curfew is in force include Warpora town, Mirgund, IG road, Nadir Gund, Budgam town, Choon, Humhama, Wattdara, Gogoo, Ompora, Narkara, Shiekhpora, Galwanpora, Chadoora, Panzan, Nagam, Machawa, Kralpora, Wathora, Dawlatpora, Hassipora, Alamdar Colony, Charar-i-Shareif in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Kangan and Ganderbal towns in the north east of Srinagar, Anantang, Bijbehara, Kulgam town Qoimoh, Pulwama town, Kakapora, Shopian town, Awantipora, and Pampore in South Kashmir and Baramulla town, Delina, Pattan, Singhpora, Kunzar, Palhalan, Tangmarg, 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 during clashes at Rajouri Kadal in interior city.
—Agencies