Jammu/Srinagar:
The situation in Kashmir, which saw protests over killing of four people in BSF firing in Gool area of Ramban district on Thursday, remained peaceful today, authorities said. The Amarnath Yatra, which was halted in the wake of the protests, resumed this evening from Jammu.
However, curfew remained in force in all major towns of Kashmir as authorities kept a close watch on the situation. It has been lifted in Ramban, the epicenter of protests. The curfew was imposed yesterday as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problems.
The Jammu-Srinagar Highway too was opened for traffic today after remaining suspended for three days. Some protesters, however, tried to block the road near Banihal by sitting on a dharna demanding the arrest of the people involved in the firing incident.
"The highway has been reopened to vehicular traffic, which is now plying smoothly," SSP (National Highway), Virender Kumar said.
The authorities are monitoring the situation round-the-clock and additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas of the Jammu region, a police spokesman said.
Restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code or CrPC, which does not permit assembly of four or more persons, are in place in rest of the Valley, sources said.
The curfew, which was imposed in the Valley yesterday, remained in force in all areas of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora districts and Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Bijbehara and Sopore towns, sources added.