Srinagar, Sept 3 : Curfew following protests and shutdowns due to shrine land row over the past two months in Srinagar has caused a major setback to the economy of the region.

Though the curfew was relaxed at intervals in a phased manner, it was not enough for traders and businessmen to carry out their business.

The economy that was coming on track after 19-year turmoil is again in doldrums due to the land row.

The worst hit sectors are tourism, fruit, hosiery, carpets, handicrafts and dry fruits.

The region which ropes in major business during the season lost at least 80 per cent of its exports, especially fruits, due to the agitation and shutdowns over shrine row.

Srinagar/Jammu, Sept 1: Kashmiri separatist leaders are reportedly holding deliberations in the wake of the State Government agreeing to allot forest land temporarily to pilgrims heading for the Amarnath shrine.

The All-Party Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC) executive meeting will continue in Srinagar today.

"With all seriousness, we have discussed the present situation of the Kashmir Valley on arrests and curfew," said senior APHC leader Abdul Gani Bhat.

The State Government has decided to allow the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board temporary use of the 40-hectares of land during the annual pilgrimage.

In response, the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) has called off its nearly two-month-long agitation.

Srinagar, Aug 28 : People in Srinagar got some respite on Thursday following a relaxation in curfew which provided them with an opportunity to venture outside their homes and stock up on essential commodities.

A one-and-half-hour relaxation in curfew around noon brought relief to people in the city who are forced to stay indoors.

Curfew was imposed in all the ten districts of the Valley on Sunday morning to thwart the proposed march of the separatists to Lal Chowk on Monday.

Srinagar, Kashmir - Security forces ended a 19-hour hostage crisis in India-administered Kashmir Thursday when they killed the last of three suspected Muslim militants who held 10 people hostage, police said.

Three male hostages were killed in a shootout with the rebels, but seven people, including four children, were rescued, Jammu police chief Manohar Singh said.

Chennai/Srinagar/New Delhi, August 27 : Muslim clerics on Wednesday accused the lawmakers for politicizing the issue of Amarnath land allotment to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing agitations and protests for almost past two months on the issue of allotment of land to SASB for setting up temporary camps for the devotees taking part in the annual Amarnath yatra.

Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 26: The separatists in Kashmir have called a complete shutdown in the Valley today against the alleged high-handedness of security forces after four persons were killed and over 80 were injured in police firing on protesters on Monday.

Curfew remained clamped in the Valley for the third day today, as tension gripped the state after renewed violence in the last 24 hours.

Curfew has also been re-imposed in Srinagar where only the few that have curfew passes are allowed to step out. People have been without newspapers, essential supplies, and even medicines.