In Kasmir, Curfew today has been lifted from the entire Valley following improvement in the situation after days of violent street protests and police firing.Relative calm prevailed in the city and other parts of the Valley, prompting the authorities to lift the curfew.Police said that Curfew was withdrawn from three districts of the state — Budgam, Gandarbal and Kupwara — and some localities of the Srinagar city yesterday.The Police added that curfew has now been withdrawn from the districts of Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla, Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama.Meanwhile, reacting to the Home Minister's offer of dialogue with all sections in Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling Natiional Conference maintains that restoration of autonomy is the only way forward to address the aspirations of people in the violence ridden state. Party leader and Member of Parliament G N Ratanpuri told AIR that Centre should begin to implement the promises it has made to the people from time to time. The Congresss party, a partner in the ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir is also advocating for restoration of dialogue to resume peace and order in Kashmir. The moderate Hurriyat Conference has cautiously welcomed the offer of dialogue. However the hardline group of Hurriyat has rejected it. The Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram while replying to clarifications on the statements made by him in the two houses of Parliament, said that Government is willing to hold dialogue with all sections and said it is important to win the hearts and minds of people. He however said that restoration of peace and order is of prime importance for any dialogue process and informed the members that the quiet talks started earlier contributed to peace in Kashmir but got derailed after a moderate Hurriyat leader was shot at in December 2008.
News On AIR | August 8, 2010 6:54 PM
J & K: Curfew lifted from entire valley following improvement in situation