Barring restricted areas in Srinagar, life returns to normal in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 20: Barring in restricted areas in the downtown Srinagar, life returned to normal in the Kashmir valley on Sunday after day-long strike on Saturday when separatists had called for “ Lal Chowk Challo” against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Though there was no strike call by the separatists, business and other activities remained affected in all districts and tehsil headquarters in south and central Kashmir, including Srinagar yesterday. However, life was near normal in north Kashmir, including Baramulla and Sopore yesterday.

Shops and business establishments, which are functioning on Sunday, are open today and traffic was plying on all routes.

Police said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC remained imposed in areas falling under five police stations in the downtown to prevent any rally by Awami Action Committee (AAC) on the eve of death anniversary of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq who was assassinated by gunmen on May 21, 1990.

A report from Anantnag said life returned to normal in this and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in south Kashmir with shops and business establishments open and traffic plying normally on all roads.

Reports of normalcy were received from central Kashmir district of Ganderbal and Badgam.