GILGIT, June 15: The authorities lifted a curfew imposed in the municipal area of Gilgit 12 days ago. The curfew was imposed on June 3 over the issue of syllabus.

A press note of the Northern Areas administration, however, said there would be restrictions on gatherings, protest marches and agitations, etc.

It said that law-enforcement agencies would keep a strict watch on the situation and continue patrolling the city streets. Sources said despite lifting of the curfew, the educational institutions in Gilgit and Skardu, closed on June 1 following agitations and ultimatums on the syllabus issue by the Shia leaders, could not be reopened. However, some private schools and the Karakoram International University resumed its working on Tuesday.

The sources said the detained Shia leaders, including Agha Ziauddin Rizvi, are still in safe custody and a committee had been constituted to negotiate their release.

They said the local administration had expressed its inability to release the detained leaders, saying that "the matter is in the court of the higher quarters in the centre."

The authorities, however, ended the blockade of over 20,000 villagers of Nomal, Nitar and Chilmis by opening Gilgit-Nomal road on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a small number of foreign tourists were also seen within and around the city and hotels following the news that curfew had been lifted in the city.