Curfew relaxed in Jammu city

Jammu:following improvement in the overall law and order situation, authorities on Wednesday relaxed curfew in the entire Jammu city for the first time since its imposition on Friday.

The curfew was imposed after violence was reported from few pockets of the city during massive anti-pakistan protest against killings of over 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama on February 14. Jammu district magistrate Ramesh Kumar initially ordered a relaxation in the curfew in the entire city from 8am to 11am, and later extended it till 7.30 pm as no untoward incident was reported.

However, restrictions under Section 144 continued to remain in force. Though public transport remained off the road besides closure of private and government educational institutions, the local markets were opened on Wednesday.

The easing of restrictions allowed people to come out of their homes and buy essential commodities which were reeling under shortage while the prices of vegetables skyrocketed. People were also seen complaining of shortage of LPG cylinders and demanded that ATMS be made operational immediately as they are running out of cash.

All educational institutions remained closed in Jammu district on the orders of the government for the sixth consecutive day. However, officials said the examination of 8th and 9th classes would be held as per schedule on Thursday in all districts. “In case of restrictions in any area, the admit cards of students and identity cards of teachers will be treated as curfew passes,” the DM said.