The situation in Kashmir Valley returned to normal today after authorities lifted curfew and hardline Hurriyat Conference exempted the day from protests. People in Srinagar city resumed their day-to-day activities as shops,banks and educational institutions remained open and traffic plied normal. The situation in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley remained peaceful. Curfew was lifted from almost the entire valley, a police spokesman said. However,he said restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC,which prohibits assembly of four or more persons at public places,remained in force in Palahalan and Delina areas of Baramulla district in north Kashmir as a precautionary measure. Earlier,Hardline Hurriyat Conference exempted the day from protests as people resumed their day-to-day activities. In Srinagar,shops,private businesses and government offices remained open. Private and public transport was also plying normal on all city and inter-district routes. Massive traffic jams were witnessed in Batamaloo and Lal Chowk areas of the city,which are transit areas for north and south Kashmir. There was a marked improvement in attendance of students in educational institutions,including the University of Kashmir and associated colleges,as compared to previous days. Banks across the Valley also witnessed huge rush while serpentine queues could be seen outside ATMs as people prepared themselves for more shutdowns. Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani,which is spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley,is likely to announce fresh protest calendar tomorrow. More than 100 civilians have been killed in the four-month unrest in the Valley,which began with the killing of a 17-year-old boy at Rajouri Kadal area of the interior city after he was allegedly hit by a tear smoke cannister fired by police on June 11.
