SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday lifted curfew from most parts of the Valley except parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir’s Pulwama town after 51 days but intensified its crackdown on separatist leaders.
Youths came out on roads and staged protest demonstrations against civilian killings. The protestors clashed with police and paramilitary personnel, who fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge, which injured over a dozen people.
The authorities then reimposed curfew and other curbs in some parts.
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified their crackdown on separatist leaders. Police arrested close aide of hardline separatist leader Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai.
Police have also arrested a trader in the Singhpora area of Pattan in north Kashmir, Altaf Ahmad, and booked him under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
They also arrested social activist Advocate Babar Nehru from Doda district in Jammu province on Saturday night and booked him under the PSA. He is the second person to be booked under the infamous law in the mountainous Doda district.