Jammu, August 7
Even as the level of violence declined today, the protesters defied curfew and held demonstrations for the 15th consecutive day over the Amarnath land row here.

The protesters took to the streets in Muthi, Gangyal, Ambgarota, Talab Tillo and Nikki Tawi areas. The curfew was relaxed in the city from 5 am to 11 am.

Panthers Party supremo Bhim Singh, who was on an indefinite fast for the last four days, was today shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital after his health deteriorated.

In Kathua, the body of Narinder Sharma, who was killed in Army firing at Palli Morh yesterday, was cremated at his native village Jakhwad.

Earlier, the administration pacified the protesters to lift the blockade on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The agitators had blocked the highway while keeping his body on the road yesterday.

They demanded action against the Army personnel, who opened fire, and a compensation for the next of the kin of the deceased.

Deputy commissioner Mandeep Kaur said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident.

Agencies add: The authorities lifted the curfew in Baderwah town of Doda district while it was relaxed in Jammu, Udhampur and Samba areas for varying periods today, officials said here.

However, curfew remained strictly enforced in the rest of Jammu areas Kathua, Rajouri, Akhnoor and Jourian which witnessed violence since June-end over the Amarnath land transfer controversy.

In Samba, curfew was relaxed for one hour from 7 am today for the first time since its imposition on August 2.

Reports from the border district of Poonch said activists of the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS) forced closure of schools, other educational institutes, government offices and banks.

The activists also indulged in stone-throwing on post offices and the telephone exchange in a bid to close down offices.