Kashmir remains calm; curfew relaxed

After days of unrest, Kashmir valley remained relatively calm on Saturday with authorities relaxing curfew in parts of Srinagar for the first time in the past one week to allow people to buy essential items.

One person, Rameez Reshi, who was injured in police firing on Friday evening, succumbed to his wounds on Saturday morning, raising the number of people killed in the present unrest in the valley to 33.

He was injured when an unruly mob attacked a police post at Warpora, Sopore following which the police and security forces used cane charge, tear smoke grenades and shells to disperse it.

The mob did not relent and the security forces opened fire, in which Rameez was injured. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment and he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, said the police.

The funeral procession of Reshi was addressed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani over phone from Srinagar, but the separatist leader urged the people to remain calm. The mourners dispersed peacefully after the burial.

"The situation is normal. There have been no stone pelting incidents or violation of curfew as of now. We are monitoring the situation and will take any decision as and when required," said Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Farooq Ahmed.

The authorities relaxed curfew in the civil line areas of Srinagar for two hours. Curfew was imposed in the entire valley on July 31 in the wake of violent protests in which 33 persons have been killed and several others, including security men, injured.