36th day of curfew, shutdown cripple Kashmir

Srinagar: Unrelenting curfew by the authorities and protest shutdown called by the separatists crippled Kashmir Valley for the 36th consecutive day on Saturday.

Authorities continued curfew and restrictions at 10 district headquarters in the valley in addition to the trouble-torn towns of Sopore, Handwara, Trehgam, Awantipora and some others, a senior police official said here.

Restrictions were imposed in old Srinagar city falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations.

An injured youth, identified as Suhail Ahmad, succumbed to injuries in a hospital overnight, taking the death toll to 57 since violence gripped the valley on July 9.

The youth was injured when a mob attacked the vehicle of an additional district magistrate at Lethpora in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway last week.

The security guard of the magistrate had fired to disperse the mob killing one person on the spot while Suhail Ahmad had sustained a bullet injury in the head.

Both call facilities and mobile Internet services remained suspended in the valley on Saturday.

Internet facility on mobile phones was suspended on July 9, a day after the killing of Hizbul commander, Burhan Wani, in a gunfight with security forces.

Call facilities were, however, available on postpaid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

Separatists have issued a fresh protest calendar extended the ongoing shutdown till August 18.