After five days of lock down, phone and internet services have reportedly been partially restored in the Kashmir valley. Restrictions on curfew were also eased for Friday prayers and the upcoming Eid celebrations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday refuted a Reuters report that 10,000 people in Kashmir were out on the streets protesting against the removal of Article 370.
“There are media reports claiming there was a protest involving 10,000 people in Srinagar. This is completely fabricated and incorrect. There have been a few stray protests in Srinagar/Baramulla and none involved a crowd of more than 20 people,” a MHA spokesperson said.
The report said that people gathered in Srinagar’s Soura area in large numbers and police used tear gas and pellets against them. The crowd was pushed back at Aiwa bridge where some people jumped into the river.
NSA chief Ajit Doval visited Srinagar on Saturday and has reportedly asked authorities to ensure that no Kashmiris are harassed. It has been decided to ease restrictions in a phased manner.
Political leaders such as Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and around 400 others are still in custody or house arrest.
