KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The Union government has sent another 20 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force to Kashmir, even as swathes of the valley remained under curfew for the ninth day following clashes sparked by the July 8 death of militant commander Burhan Wani.
“All 10 districts of Kashmir valley continue to remain under curfew today as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order,” a police official told a news gathering agency.
So far, 42 people have been killed and over 3,100 injured as protestors were fired upon by government forces.
He said the decision to continue the curfew was taken after one person was killed in fresh violence in Kupwara district on Saturday. He said the situation so far across the Valley was “peaceful”.
”We are watching the situation and hope the day passes off peacefully,” he added.
Already, the CRPF has 47 battalions of 800-odd men each stationed in the Valley. This number will now go up to around 50 battalions.
All telephone services in three north Kashmir districts were snapped on Saturday evening, and mobile telephony in the Valley remained suspended for last many days.
In the seven other districts of the valley, only mobiles of the government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNl) are working.
Mobile internet services continued to remain suspended for the ninth day on Sunday.
Violent protests have rocked Kashmir since July 9 following killing of Burhan Wani and two of his associated in an encounter with forces a day earlier in Kokernag area of Islamabad district in South Kashmir.
The separatists groups — both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF — have been issuing strike calls, a practice reminiscent of 2010 summer agitation. The separatists groups have extended the strike call till Monday evening.
