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India lifts curfew in Kashmir after 51 days

The end to the curfew came after 71 people died, since July 9, in fighting.

By Ed Adamczyk
Kashmir protesters throw stones at Indian police in this July 2016 photo. A 51-day curfew, meant to end separatist violence, was withdrawn Monday. Photo by VOA News/Wikipedia
Kashmir protesters throw stones at Indian police in this July 2016 photo. A 51-day curfew, meant to end separatist violence, was withdrawn Monday. Photo by VOA News/Wikipedia

SRINAGAR , India, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Officials in Indian-administer Kashmir lifted a 51-day curfew in the territory, citing a decline in separatist violence.

A police spokesman noted that areas of Srinagar, Kashmir's largest city, and the town of Pampore will temporarily retain and enforce the curfew. Barricades were removed in Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of Srinagar, as traffic flowed and residents shopped and patronized banks closed since the curfew began.

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Many businesses remained closed, though, honoring a separatist demand that the curfew remain in place until September 1.

Violence began on July 9, after Burhan Wani, a popular figure in the area for his leadership in a campaign seeking home rule for Kashmir, was killed in a gunfight with Indian security forces. Since his death, 68 civilians and three police officers were killed in street violence, and another 11,000 were injured.

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