Thaindian News

Srinagar, July 11 (IANS) Authorities reimposed curfew-like restrictions in a few localities of Srinagar Sunday even as a shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Kashmir Valley.
After a 24-hour long curfew break, restrictions were imposed again in the Old City and uptown Maisuma and Batmallo areas of the summer capital. State authorities moved heavy police and paramilitary reinforcements into the Old City to enforce the restrictions early morning.

Road intersections were blocked with barricades and wire coils. Security forces patrolled the sensitive Batmallo and Maisuma localities as well.

Restrictions were also imposed in the two south Kashmir towns of Pulwama and Kakpore to maintain law and order.

Curfew was relaxed Sunday in the north Kashmir Sopore town till 11 a.m. to enable people to buy essential commodities, said Mohammad Sayed Khan, special commissioner (Baramulla).

But when the curfew was relaxed, mobs indulged in stone-pelting in the market.

Restrictions apart, life in Srinagar and other towns was paralysed due to a protest shutdown called by the hardline Hurriyat Conference group led by Syed Ali Geelani.

Shops were shut and vehicles remained off the roads.

Authorities had relaxed curfew in the entire Kashmir Valley Friday evening to enable people to join the special prayers on the Muslim festival of Shab-e-Meraj (ascension of the Prophet to heaven).

During the relaxation, people thronged shops in various localities of the capital city and other towns to buy essential commodities.