Police fired warning shots and lobbed teargas shells to disperse stone-pelting protestors during two-hour curfew relaxation in old Anantnag town this morning even as authorities imposed curfew in two more areas of Trehgam and Kupwara towns after agitation by locals.
Barring uptown areas of Srinagar, curfew restrictions continued to be in place in Baramulla, Mattan, Bijbehara, Dooru, Kokernag, Achhabal in Anantnag, Qaimoh in Kulgam and Pulwama districts.
Curfew imposed in Anantnag town on June 29 following killing of three persons was relaxed for two hours from 7 a.m. this morning in old town areas. However, the relaxation was withdrawn as people took to the streets in Lal Chowk and Sherpora areas and pelted stones on law enforcing agencies, police said.
As the protests intensified, police lobbed tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse the protestors, police said, adding no one was injured.
Authorities imposed curfew in Trehgam and Kupwara towns in Kupwara district today which witnessed protests on Friday in which three persons were injured.
In Srinagar, authorities lifted curfew from civil lines area but the restrictions continued in the four police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharajgun and Safakadal areas in view of the tense situation in the wake of protests by residents last night, police said.
Restrictions were also in place in Maisuma in the heart of the city.
Curfew was imposed in seven police station areas of old city on June 28 following violent protests over the killing of youths in alleged firing by security forces.
Additional contingents of police and paramilitary forces continued to patrol the deserted streets of the valley, where life remained crippled for the eighth successive day due to the curfew restrictions and strike.
Government offices, educational institutions, banks, semi-government offices, shops and business markets remained closed and transport, both public and private, was off the roads.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission postponed exams scheduled today and tomorrow.
“The examinations and screening tests scheduled for 3rd July and 4th July 2010 have been postponed”, the commission said.
