Curfew reimposed in many areas ahead of Friday congregations

Curfew was today reimposed in many parts of Kashmir for maintaining law and order ahead of Friday prayers.

Normal life remained paralysed for 63rd consecutive day in the unrest-hit Valley where 73 persons have been killed and several thousand others injured in the violence which erupted after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces.

"Curfew has been imposed in many parts of Srinagar city and major towns of the Valley as a precautionary measure in view of apprehensions of violent protests after Friday prayers," a police official said.

He said 14 police station areas of Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- and towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral, Baramulla, Pattan and Palhallan have been placed under curfew.

There are restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in rest of the Valley,  he said. Normal life remained crippled due to curfew and the shutdown call by separatists groups.

While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, markets in Srinagar and other places came to life late in the evening yesterday in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by separatists.

The separatists have extended the shutdown programme till September 16. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed.

The attendance in government offices and banks, which had improved significantly over the past four days, dipped today owing to curfew and apprehension of violence.

The roads and streets, which had witnessed increased movement of private vehicles in recent days, wore a deserted look and public transport continued to be off the roads.