Jammu, February 21: Authorities relaxed curfew for a few hours in Jammu for few hours from 7 am to 2 pm on Thursday as the overall law and order situation improved. However, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC remained in force to maintain law and order, officials said. Meanwhile, all wine shops and bars will remain closed. District Magistrate, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar on Wednesday had said that all government and private schools will reopen on Thursday and the exams will be conducted as per schedule.  However, he said all colleges in the district will remain closed. Mobile internet service stands suspended since Friday when the curfew was imposed in Jammu city.  Pulwama Attack: Curfew Continues in Jammu and Kashmir for 5th Day on Tuesday.

Curfew was relaxed in a phased manner in the city this week. On Wednesday, the DM initially ordered a relaxation in the curfew in the entire city from 8 am to 11 am, and later extended it till 7.30 pm as no untoward incident was reported. Kumar further added saying that the curfew was relaxed in the entire city on Wednesday and the relaxation period passed off peacefully while on Thursday, the relaxation will continue but the timing will be decided in the morning after reviewing the situation. Pulwama Attack: Gloom, Anger Across India as Country Bids Teary Adieu to CRPF Martyrs

Following massive anti-Pakistan protests and sporadic incidents of violence over the terror attack in Pulwama district, curfew was imposed in the entire Jammu city since Friday. People in some areas complained of a shortage of essential commodities like vegetables, milk and ration and demanded that ATMs be made operational immediately as they are running out of cash. However, private vehicles were seen on roads after curfew was relaxed this week.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 09:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).