Srinagar: Curfew continued for the sixth day in the old city areas of Srinagar Thursday, even as authorities decided to extend curfew relaxation in many other towns of the valley.
Curfew was imposed in parts of the state after Afzal Guru, convicted in the parliament attack case of December 2001, was hanged to death in the Tihar Central Jail in the national capital Feb 9, even before his family was informed.
Authorities said curfew restrictions would continue on Thursday in old city areas of Srinagar, and the towns of Sopore, Baramulla, Pattan, Handwara and Kangan, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag in the valley.
It will also remain in force in Bandipora district.
However, the curfew has been relaxed in areas falling under Rajbagh, Ram Munshi Bagh, Shergarhi, Saddar, Kothibagh, Shaheed Gunj, Lal Bazaar, Nigeen, Zakoora, Nowgam, Bemina, Panthachowk and Parimpora police stations in Srinagar district.
In entire Badgam district, curfew has been relaxed from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday. The relaxation will continue from Thursday morning onwards in Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam districts, except at the district headquarters.
No major untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the valley Wednesday, though stray instances of stone pelting were reported.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah denied reports that a gag had been imposed on the media. He, however, confirmed that authorities blocked internet access to check the spread of rumours. (IANS)