A semblance of calm returned to India's troubled Kashmir region on the second day of curfew imposed by the state government to stop demonstrations by locals over the recent killing of protesters by security forces. The curfew was imposed on Wednesday in parts of northern and southern Kashmir, including the summer capital, Srinagar. The situation in the valley has been tense over the past one week due to repeated clashes between the protesters and the security forces. The latest round of demonstrations was sparked by the deaths of at least 11 people blamed on government forces over the past two weeks and was among the biggest anti-India protests in two years. Most of those killed were protesters, who died of bullet wounds, and one was beaten to death, hospital sources said. The prolonged curfew is posing problems to the locals who say they are struggling to get even grocery for their families.We are facing a lot of troubles due to the curfew. We can't go out of our houses even. We can't get basic food items. There is no sign of ease in the curfew. The security forces are not letting us move out of our houses, said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar city. More than 47,000 people have been killed since simmering discontent against Indian rule turned into a full-blown rebellion in 1989.
