While public transport continued to be off the roads, there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws on the roads in the city.
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Despite lifting of curfew and restrictions government forces had been deployed in strength across Kashmir. However, after 11.00 a.m. groups of youths appeared at different places and they enforced shutdown while pelting stones on vehicles and shops and roughing up and snubbing many of those who had come out in violation of the separatists’ call.
Meanwhile, mobile internet continued to remain suspended in the entire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred.
Curfew was clamped in entire Valley on July 9 following violence in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir s Anantnag district a day earlier. It has been nearly 51 days the Kashmir valley is under curfew, the longest ever ongoing spell in the region’s history which is making the already-hardened lives of the Kashmiris unbearable.
A report from Jammu said that a shutdown against the arrest of a prominent lawyer Babar-ul-Hassan brought life to a standstill in Doda and Bhaderwah areas of Chenab valley of the region on Monday. It added, “Appealing people to stay vigilant against the anti-resistance and anti-unity forces and those indulging in rumour mongering and false propaganda, the Mirwaiz urged the people to follow the programmes given by the unified resistance leadership in letter and spirit”. Similar reports of protests and stone-pelting were also received from nearby Kanihama area.
The banks were also open and witnessed massive rush of customers as soon as they opened.
At least 69 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotguns at rock-throwing protesters. The protestors clashed with police and paramilitary personnel, who fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge, which injured over a dozen people. Locals informed CNS that after a mild protest, Army barged into the houses and hit people with gun butts.
“Hundreds of people assembled at Jamia Masjid Doda after Zuhar (afternoon) prayers and started protest”, witnesses said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had met the Prime Minister on Saturday.
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According to The Indian Express newspaper, the curfew, which was in place for 52 days, will end in all Kashmir areas except the southern city of Pulwama and in two districts of the Shrinagar city.
