Normalcy returns to Valley; curfew lifted

Srinagar, Sep 2 (PTI) Life in Kashmir Valley returned to
normal Tuesday with authorities lifting curfew to facilitate
opening of shops and business establishments which remained
closed for 11 days.

Government offices, educational institutions, banks,
courts and markets opened following a call given by the
coordination committee of separatists to have normal work for
three days beginning Tuesday.

Transport services also resumed after remaining suspended
since August 22 when the separatists organised a rally at
Idgah here.
The coordination committee had announced on August 31
suspension of the agitation for three days saying "all shops
and business establishments will reopen for three days from
Tuesday. However, these establishments will close at 4 PM
daily to press for right of self-determination".

An official spokesman said curfew was lifted from
Srinagar from 8.30 AM while the administration directed all
District Magistrates to give relaxation in the curfew across
Kashmir valley during 'Sehari' (when fast of muslims commence)
and 'Iftaar' (when fast is broken) during 4 AM - 6.30 AM in
the morning and 7 PM - 10.30 PM in the evening.

Curfew was clamped in all the ten districts of
Kashmir Valley to thwart the separatists' plan to organise a
sit-in at Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of Srinagar, on August
25.

All top leaders, including chairmen of two factions of
Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer
Farooq and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (J.K.L.F.) Chairman
Mohammad Yaseen Malik who were arrested on the eve of 'Lal
Chowk chalo' were set free last evening.