Normal life in Kashmir Valley remained disrupted for the 34th consecutive day on Thursday, with curfew continuing to be in force in parts of Srinagar and Anantnag, a police officer said. Restrictions on the assembly of people, too, were in place.
"Curfew is in force in five police stations in downtown (interior) area of Srinagar city and Anantnag town in south Kashmir," the officer said.
He said curfew was also clamped in Pampore town on Thursday in view of the death anniversary of former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir People's League Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who hailed from the saffron town of Pampore.
The officer said restrictions on assembly of four or more people also continued to be in force in rest of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Even as the officer said the situation across Kashmir has showed signs of improvement since the beginning of this week, normal life remained affected in the Valley for the due to the curbs imposed by the authorities and separatists-sponsored strike.
Schools, colleges, business establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.
The attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, the officer said.
However, most of the shops opened after 6pm on alternate days as the separatist groups have announced relaxation in their protest programme to allow people to buy essentials.
Mobile internet services continued to remain blocked in the entire Valley where the outgoing facility on prepaid connections is also barred.
The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir until Friday and, as part of the protest programme, had asked the people to march to the martyrs graveyard to hold congregational prayers on the death anniversary of Aziz who was killed in 2008.
Violent protests have rocked Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
As many as 55 people, including two cops, were killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces.
