Life returns to normal in Kashmir after day-long strike

Srinagar, Aug 16: Life returned to normal today in Kashmir valley, including summer capital Srinagar, following a day-long strike called by separatists. However, a complete shutdown was being observed today in some areas in Beerwah in central Kashmir district of Budgam against the killing of four youth in security force firing on this day last year.

also lifted restrictions in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) after two days. Shops and business establishments reopened and traffic was plying on all routes normally in the summer capital, Srinagar, where some busy routes witnessed traffic jams in civil lines and uptown. Work in the government offices and banks was also normal. Meanwhile, all schools and colleges were open in the Valley after remaining closed for two days. All educational institutions were closed on August 14 as a precautionary measure in view of killing of two youths on August 13 in clashes with security forces, triggered by the death of three Hizbul Mujahideen(HM) militants, including a self styled operational commander, in an 18-hour-long operation.

All the shops reopen in the main business hubs in civil lines, including Hari Singh High Street, Gonikhan, Residency Road, Maulana Azad Road, Mahraj Bazar, Batmaloo, Iqbal Park, Dalgate, Regal Chowk and Budshah Chowk. The roads leading to Ganta Ghar in historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, closed yesterday with barbed wires, were reopened for general public this morning. The situation was no different in the uptown and downtown, where shops and business establishments reopened after day-long strike yesterday. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) urged people to observe a complete shutdown yesterday on ID. Reports of normalcy were also received from other parts of the Valley, including Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Pattan in north Kashmir.

However, security forces remained deployed in strength to prevent any law and order problem. Meanwhile, business and other activities resumed after remaining crippled for two days in entire south Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam, where normal life came to a grinding halt against the killing of HM militants and two civilians in the subsequent clashes with security forces on August 13. Barring some areas in Beerwah, similar reports of normalcy were also received from twin central Kashmir district of Ganderbal and Budgam. Shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the road in Aripanthan village and adjoining areas in Beerwah on the first death anniversary of four youth, who were killed in security force firing on August 16, 2016.