Law and order situation improving in Kashmir Valley: Centre to SC

The Centre said that in view of the improving situation, curfew had been lifted from most parts of the Valley on July 30.

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani with violent protests having gone down from 201 on July 9 to 11 on August 3.

The Centre, in a status report filed before a bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said that in view of the improving situation, curfew had been lifted from most parts of the Valley on July 30.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, referring to the report, said the curfew is in force only in certain areas of three districts in the Valley.

"However, due to persistent efforts of the security forces/Jammu and Kashmir Police, the situation has shown remarkable improvement, with the number of incidents declining progressively since the outbreak of violent protests and clashes.

"Compared to 201 incidents on July 9, 2016, only 11 incidents were witnessed as on August 3, 2016," Kumar said, adding that a total of 872 incidents of violence were reported mainly from south Kashmir and parts of central and north Kashmir.

He said that in these 872 incidents, 42 civilians and two security personnel were killed, while 2656 civilians and 3783 security personnel were injured.

Kumar said that 28 government establishments were set ablaze and 49 such establishments were damaged and due to the violent incidents initially curfew was imposed in 10 districts out of 22 districts of the state.

He said incidents of violence started after Wani and two other militants were killed by the security forces on July 8, leading to large-scale protests and law and order problems in different parts of the Valley.

"Inimical and anti-social elements exploited the news on social media platforms to inflame passions and incite sentiments. Public address systems of some of the local mosques were used to raise to pro-freedom slogans and incite the youth to indulge in stone pelting/protests," the report filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, said.

The apex court had earlier asked the Centre to file a status report detailing "ground realities" prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir after Wani's killing in the Valley by security agencies.

Prior to that, it issued notice to the Centre on a PIL filed by senior advocate and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Bhim Singh seeking imposition of Governor's rule in the state.