For the second time in as many days, authorities today announced relaxation in curfew in parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts even as the toll in the ongoing agitation rose to 104 after a youth succumbed to injuries in a hospital here.
“There will be an indefinite relaxation in South, East and West zones of Srinagar city from 3 PM onwards,” a police spokesman told PTI.
Curfew was imposed in Srinagar on September 12 and was extended to the entire Kashmir Valley the next day following widespread violence.
The prohibitory order was relaxed in a phased manner in Srinagar and other major towns yesterday but was being imposed strictly since last night.
“The authorities will be monitoring the law and order situation during the relaxation period and a decision will be taken accordingly,” the spokesman said.
He said there will be no relaxation in curfew in interior parts of Srinagar falling under North and Hazratbal zones. “A decision to relax curfew in these areas will be taken later,” he said.
Earlier, the spokesman said curfew was relaxed in Ganderbal district town and adjoining Kangan town around noon.
Similarly, the authorities announced relaxation in curfew in Pulwama district town along with Awantipora town from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Although the relaxation period passed off peacefully yesterday, the authorities decided to impose the curfew strictly today apparently in view of the weekly agitation calendar issued by hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The toll in the ongoing agitation today rose to 104 after a youth, Sajad Ahmad Pandit, allegedly injured in firing by security forces on September 13 at Humhama in Budgam district, died at SKIMS Hospital here early this morning, the spokesman said.
