Srinagar : After 51 days, administration lifted curfew from Kashmir since the ongoing turmoil started on 8 July, authorities said. “curfew has been lifted from the whole Valley. However, it will stay in force in Pulwama town and in regions under the ward of Nowhatta and MR Gunj police limits in Srinagar,” a senior police official told newsmen.

The decision to lift curfew was taken at a state security meeting on Sunday evening, sources said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh went into a group with BJP president Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh and talked about with them the modalities of the all-party delegation’s visit.

Rajnath is likely to lead an all-party delegation on 3 September to Jammu and Kashmir even as the state continued to be on edge despite curfew being lifted.

Sources said the meeting discussed possible individuals and groups with whom the delegation may interact. The government has sounded out different political parties to convey the names of their representatives who will be part of the delegation. When asked about what transpired at the meeting, Jitendra Singh refused to elaborate, only telling reporters that “Rajnath Singh is a senior leader and we have come for ‘Margdarshan’ (guidance)”.