Even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked his Ministers to visit various areas to restore peace, life in the Kashmir Valley remained affected for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday amid curfew and clashes. Curfew is likely to remain in force on Friday too.
With roads wearing a deserted look and uneasy calm prevailing, life remained hit for the fifth day in Sopore and for the third day in Anantnag and Baramulla, besides the adjoining areas.
Despite strict restrictions enforced by the police and the Central Reserve Police Force, people took to the streets in Sopore, Sangam, Bijbehara, Malak Nag and Anchidora and staged demonstrations in protest against the killing of 11 youths by the CRPF and the police in the past 11 days.
In Srinagar, severe restrictions were in force for the third day.
All shops, educational institutions, banks, petrol pumps, business establishments and government offices remained shut on Thursday. Private operators ran skeletal transport service in the civil lines
Protests erupted at Kawdara, Natipora, Chattabal, Parimpora, Bemina and Maisuma in the city, with scores of people staging demonstrations.
12 injured
Twelve people were injured when CRPF and police personnel resorted to baton charge and burst teargas shells to break up a march at Chattabal.
A group of women, led by Duktaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi, took out a march from Mughal Mohalla in the afternoon. When they reached the Chattabal Bridge, a CRPF contingent and police intercepted them.
As the protesters put up resistance and tried to press ahead, the troops fired teargas shells after a baton charge proved ineffective.
Thousands of personnel, equipped with riot gear and arms, manned lanes, by-lanes, roads and the deserted streets of the city.
