Srinagar, Feb 11 (IANS): Three days of curfew in the Kashmir Valley after Afzal Guru's hanging Saturday has hit residents, who say they are running short of essential supplies and medicines.
Although authorities said there is no restriction on the movement of those needing medical attention or people connected with maintenance of essential services like healthcare, water supply and electricity, many locals in Srinagar alleged they were not being allowed to go out of their homes.
A resident in the old city said he wanted to buy medicines for his ailing mother but security forces in the area did not allow him to venture out.
"I was told to go back to my home as no civilian movement was being allowed in our area," he said, refusing to be named.
Similar complaints filtered out from other parts of the city. Some people said they were running out of food.
"For the last three days we somehow managed with our stock of food, but today there is hardly anything to cook except rice. We have not been able to get milk, bread etc. also during the curfew," said another resident in the old city.
Things were better on the outskirts where some small shops opened for short periods.
A resident of Buchpora locality in the city said he went out Monday morning to buy bread, milk and vegetables from a market in the area.
As tensions run high in the valley following the execution of Afzal Guru, parents are having a tough time ensuring that their children remain indoors.
"It is very difficult to control children during such heightened tensions," said a worried parent here.
Authorities are tight lipped about any relaxation in the curfew. Given past experience, it is likely that the curfew might continue in the valley till Friday.
"The authorities will have to relax curfew in some areas tomorrow or the day after. People cannot remain confined to their homes for such a long period," said Javaid Shah, who lives in Lal Bazaar locality here.
All examinations and interviews scheduled for this week have been postponed by university authorities in Srinagar without specifying the new dates for these.