Life in Kashmir Valley today returned to normal as authorities lifted curfew and hardline Hurriyat Conference exempted the day from its schedule of protests and strikes.
Curfew was lifted from the entire Valley, except Kangan town in Ganderbal district, last night as the law and order situation across the region remained by and large peaceful yesterday, official sources said.
The sources said restrictions were not eased in Kangan town as a gunbattle was raging between militants and security forces at Chak-Akhal, 45 kms from here.
A police spokesman last night said there will be no curfew in Srinagar city today. He, however, advised people not to take out any processions without prior sanction from authorities.
Shops, business establishments and private offices opened early in the morning while public transport was plying on all routes of the Valley.
Schools and Government offices, however, remained closed on account of Gandhi Jayanti.
Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani said since the Government imposed curfew on people Friday, which had been exempted by him in his protest schedule, he has decided to withdraw today’s strike so that people of the Valley get some relief.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley today rose to 105 as a youth, injured during clashes with security forces in Sopore last month, succumbed to injuries at a hospital here this morning.
20-year-old Omar Suleiman Shiekh, who was injured on September 16, died at SKIMS Hospital at Soura.
Kashmir Valley has been in a 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.
