Authorities to relax curfew area-wise in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, July 21 (IANS) Amplifying its earlier decision to relax curfew in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday afternoon, the authorities said this would be area-wise depending on the obtaining law and order situation, an official said.

The authorities on Thursday decided to relax curfew across the Valley to allow the people buy essentials of life.

"Curfew will be relaxed in the afternoon to provide relief to the people," a senior police official said.

"The relaxation period will be reviewed in the evening as it depends upon how the law and order situation behaves," said the official.

The authorities also decided to open schools in four districts of Ganderbal, Bandipora, Badgam and Baramulla on Thursday. The Valley has 10 districts.

The decision to relax curfew coincided with the separatists appeal to end the ongoing protest shutdown after 2 p.m. for the remaining portion of the day.

Separatists have again called a shutdown from Friday till Monday.

The Valley has been reeling under curfew restrictions announced by the authorities and a total protest shutdown called by the separatists for the last 13 days.

If the relaxation period passes off peacefully, people would benefit the most as violence has already claimed 45 lives here.

The present cycle of violence started on July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.