Srinagar, August 27
After three days of stringent curfew restrictions across Kashmir, relaxation was given in phases in different areas during which two persons were killed in protests in Budgam and Kupwara districts and 10 injured.

Mohammad Yusuf Banday was killed and seven were injured in clashes between protesters and the police during curfew relaxation at Handwara in Kupwara district this afternoon, the police said here.

Police and Army personnel resorted to a lathi charge and firing in which one person died and three civilians were injured. Four police personnel were also injured in the clashes, the police said.

Hilal Ahmad Mir was killed and three were injured in firing by the CRPF during
clashes between protesters and the police in the Soibugh area of Budgam district
this afternoon.

The curfew was reimposed after the incident and the situation was brought under control, the police said. Curfew was relaxed in various areas of Srinagar city under 10 police stations of Soura, Saddar, Shergarhi, Rajbagh, Rambagh, Kothibagh, Karan Nagar, Zakoora, Rainawari and Nishat from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today.

It was also relaxed from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in the police station areas of Harwan, Nigeen, Zadibal, Lal Bazar, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safakadal and Batmaloo of Srinagar. In Bandipora the curfew was relaxed from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in a phased manner.

He said relaxation in curfew was allowed in Kupwara town from 10.30 a.m.. to 12.30 p.m. In Budgam district, excluding areas falling under Beerwah and Budgam police stations, curfew was relaxed from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Relaxation in curfew was given from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in Qazigund, Kulgam. There was no curfew at Pahalgam.

Curfew was imposed on Sunday morning in view of the separatist Hurriyat coordination committee call to take out a rally to central Lal Chowk for Monday.

The authorities apprehending trouble and threat to the lives of senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, imposed curfew early on Sunday morning.

At least six persons, including a woman were killed and more than 60 were injured in clashes between protesters and cops on Sunday and Monday while the past two days have passed off largely peacefully.

Governor N. N. Vohra yesterday reviewed the situation, especially the problems being faced by the people due to the imposition of curfew.

Besides allowing relaxation in curfew in phases, it was decided that arrangements would be made to transport stranded patients and their attendants to their respective places.

A fleet of ambulances was pressed into service to send the discharged patients and attendants from city hospitals to their homes in various districts of the valley today.