Kashmir remains shutdown for 10th week

Business activities, train and public transport service remained crippled in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5.

Meanwhile, the authorities announced to restore Postpaid mobile service of all Cellular companies though internet connectivity remained suspended since August 5 as a precautionary measure.

The situation remained by and large peaceful during the past 24 hours in the Kashmir valley, where there is no curfew restriction. However, restriction under Section 144 CrPC continued and additional Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) remained deployed in strength to prevent any law and order problem since August 5. There were over 300 demonstration and stone pelting incidents since the scrapping of special status during which about 100 CPMF and local police personnel were injured in the valley.

The civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, and other business hubs in the summer capital, came to life this morning when shops reopened at 0630 hrs. However, later at 0930 hrs life again came to halt in these areas as shopkeepers closed their establishments and left for their homes for the day. Even some banks and other financial institutions were seen working on main roads in the morning before closing again.

Public transport was off the roads in the city. However, private vehicles and number of three wheelers were seen plying, particularly in the civil lines and uptown. A number of cabs were also seen plying on district routes from different places in Srinagar. The State Road Transport Corporation (SRT) buses also remained off the roads. Students continued to stay away from their institutions though government had announced reopening of schools and colleges besides schedule for 10th and 12th class examinations.

The historic Jamia masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, presently under house arrest, remained closed for devotees since August 5. Adequate number of security forces remained deployed in the Jamia market and outside the worship place to maintain law and order.

Reports of continued shut down were also received from elsewhere in the valley. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Pattan, Handwara and Sopore in north Kashmir. Reports of strike were also received from Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Pampore and Kulgam in south Kashmir, where additional security forces remained deployed to maintain law and order.

Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Badgam.