Restrictions partially eased in Kashmir valley: Officials

Restrictions on the movement of people in Kashmir valley were partially eased today with landline phone services being restored in some areas of Srinagar city even as stringent security remained in place, officials said.

They said the curbs have been relaxed in 35 police station areas of Kashmir while 17 telephone exchanges have been made functional out of the total 96 across the valley, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"The process of providing relaxation and easing out of restrictions is already in progress. Relaxation has been provided in 35 police station areas across the length and breadth of the valley and so far, there are no reports of any untoward incident. The public transports are plying and we have encouraging reports of a lot of public movement," government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said while addressing a press conference.

On the restoration of landline services, the government spokesperson said out of the 96 exchanges in the Kashmir valley, 17 are functional and providing landline services to people.

The curbs were eased this morning to facilitate the movement of government employees towards their offices, the officials said adding that security forces continued to remain deployed while barricades remained on the roads. But people were allowed to move after checking their credentials.

The officials said landline telephone services were restored in some areas of the valley like Raj Bagh and Jawahar Nagar but remained suspended in most parts, including the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, Press Enclave, and other areas around it.

There was increase in the movement of private vehicles in civil lines areas and other district headquarters of the valley, the officials also said, adding that some inter-district cabs were also seen plying in Dalgate area of Srinagar.

Some shops in civil lines areas opened this morning, the officials said. However, most of the business establishments, including fuel stations, remained shut.