The cycle of unflinching violence which began on June 11 has so far taken a toll of 104 in 101 days and shows no signs of ebbing yet. An indefinite curfew was imposed late Saturday after phase wise curfew relaxation on Saturday afternoon during which protesters clashed with security forces in parts of the city.
Along with the imposition of the indefinite curfew, the authorities Sunday beefed up the security as more units of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in the capital.
The delegation constituted in the wake of an all party meeting in New Delhi last week is arriving here for an on the spot assessment of the situation
The delegation, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that also includes Home Minister P.Chidambaram, is likely to meet leaders of various mainstream parties here.
Meanwhile, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, seen as a hard-liner by New Delhi, withdrew plans to protest outside army camps.
“Instead of marching to army camps, the people should protest in all district headquarters and demand complete withdrawal of Indian troops from Kashmir,” 80-year-old Geelani said in a statement.
He also said his group has decided not to meet the delegation ‘since its mandate is limited to talking within the framework of Indian constitution.’
— With input from agencies
