Normalcy returns in Kashmir after three days

Srinagar: Life returned to normal in all parts of Kashmir after three days of curfew-like restrictions in some parts of the city over protests against the death of Udhampur petrol bomb attack victim.

Restrictions on the movement of people were lifted from the six police station areas of the city -- Rainawari, Safakadal, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar and Maisuma -- after three days, a police official said.

"The shops have opened across the valley while transport is also plying normally," the official said.

He said house arrest restrictions on all separatist leaders, except Syed Ali Shah Geelani, have been lifted while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik who was lodged at police station Kothibagh for past three days, has been released.

The vendors have set up their stalls at the weekly flea market, popularly known as Sunday market here, despite rainfall since yesterday.

The restrictions were imposed in the city on Thursday and Friday by the authorities to prevent separatists from holding protests against the death of Zahid Bhat, who succumbed to injuries at a Delhi hospital on October 18.

Bhat had sustained severe burn injuries in a petrol bomb attack on a truck at Udhampur on October 9.

Yesterday's restrictions were imposed to prevent the separatists from using the Muharram processions for gaining political mileage.