Srinagar, July 21, 2013: Normalcy was restored after a couple of days in parts of Kashmir where curfew was imposed owing to the strike call given by hardline Hurriyat Conference protesting against the killing of four people in Ramban district.

Police and other security agencies however are keeping a close watch on the movement across Kashmir where curfew was imposed from Friday in areas including Srinagar, Ganderbal,Budgam, Bandipora, Shopian, Anatnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Sopore and Bijbehara town.

Restrictions under section 144 CrPC were imposed in the area for the past two days. In the wake of Ramban firing incident, more than hundred security force personnel were reportedly injured. Though curfew was lifted in the area, normal life remained affected as shops and other business establishments remained closed while public transport remained off roads due to the strike call given by the Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Police said no untoward incident was reported so far from anywhere in the Valley. In order to restore normalcy in the area, separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Nayeem Khan were placed under house arrest in Srinagar.

Two other separatist leaders, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah were also arrested on Thursday and were not released yet, said officials. Officials claimed that a fresh batch of 1,834 pilgrims, including 45 saints, headed towards the valley from Jammu base camp at 5:35 pm.

Except periodic clashes which occurred in Pulwama and Kupwara districts,  no serious incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the state on Saturday, said the authorities.

Tight security was provided to pilgrims who left for Bagwati Nagar base camp in a cavalcade of 56 vehicles. Over 2.50 lakh pilgrims have participated in this year’s yatra to perform the ‘darshan’ of Lord Shiva at Amarnath which is  believed to be a naturally-formed lingam with  ice.

Source: Truth Dive, DT. July 21, 2013.