Kashmir shut for 77th day

Srinagar, Sep 23 (IANS) Kashmir remained shut for the 77th consecutive day on Friday as authorities imposed restrictions in Srinagar city to prevent a separatists-called protest march.

"Restrictions have been placed in three police station areas in Srinagar, parts of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam," a senior police official said here.

Ever since the present unrest began on July 9, clashes have erupted in different parts of the Valley after the afternoon congregational prayers on Friday.

In order to avoid clashes, authorities are putting vulnerable areas under restrictions to prevent mobs.

Although tensions continue across the Valley, the situation has shown some signs of improvement during the last four-to-five days.

There has been more pedestrian and vehicular movement despite the separatist appeals to people not to come out of their homes except during emergencies.

Due to the officially imposed restrictions and protest shutdown called by the separatists, all educational institutions, main markets, public transport and other businesses have remained suspended.

Train service between the Valley and the Jammu region across the Pir Panchal mountains have also remained shut.