Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir said that they eased restrictions Sunday in most parts of Srinagar, the main city, ahead of an Islamic festival following India's decision to strip the region of its constitutional autonomy.
However, the plan is to, reportedly, put back some of the restrictions before deciding how to handle Eid Al Adha celebrations in the state.
Magistrate Shahid Choudhary in a tweet said that more than 250 ATMs have been made functional and bank branches opened for people to withdraw money ahead of Monday's Eid al-Adha festival.
On Friday, restrictions on movement in some parts of the Himalayan region's main city of Srinagar were relaxed, with people pouring out on to the streets to stock up on provisions.
Authorities appear to be acting with utmost caution because of a fear of a backlash from residents who have been forced to stay indoors since last Monday.
Authorities in Srinagar said there have been instances of stone pelting by protesters but no gun firing by security forces in the past six days. Television images showed movement of cars and people in some parts of Kashmir.
Police checkpoints were also placed on some roads leading to the old quarter of the city, a traditional hotbed of protests, and some streets in central Srinagar.
Officials were debating how to handle Monday's Eid-al-Adha festival, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar, which typically sees several thousands throng major mosques in Srinagar.
Indian officials will hold a video-conference with senior police and administration officials from all 10 districts in the disputed Kashmir valley on Sunday evening to decide on restrictions, two senior state government officials told Reuters.
"We will make an assessment of the situation today," one official said, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media. "I do not think we will allow large gatherings." India's Home Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest restrictions in Kashmir.
Source: Gulf News