GILGIT, April 12: Normal life was restored in Skardu on Thursday as government and private schools, colleges and offices opened after days of protests against the killing of passengers last week, while curfew in Gilgit was relaxed for four hours.

However, the area remained cut off from the rest of the country as traffic on Karakoram Highway remained suspended for the 10th day.

Talking to Dawn, residents of Skardu complained shortage of items of daily use and fleecing by shopkeepers.

In Gilgit, curfew was relaxed from 1pm to 5pm and outsiders were allowed to leave the town.  Troops and law-enforcement personnel kept patrolling the roads to maintain law and order.

Like other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, shortage of foodstuff and other essential items was reported in various parts of the town. Especially, flour was not available in the markets although supply by the mills to the authorised dealers was continuing without pause.

An operation by the army with the help of law-enforcement agencies is under way and more than 70 people, including those involved in sectarian militancy, have been taken into custody.

There was no report of any untoward incident in the region. The authorities hinted that the duration of curfew relaxation would be increased if the situation remained peaceful. Cell phone service, which has been suspended in the region, is also likely to be restored by Sunday.—Correspondent