Life returns to normal in Kashmir barring Pulwama

Srinagar, Feb 18: Life returned to normal on Monday after remaining crippled on Saturday in the Kashmir valley owing to a general strike called by traders in protest against attacks on students and other Kashmiri residents in Jammu and other parts of the country after martyring of 44 CRPF personnel by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) fidayeen in Pulwama on Thursday afternoon.

However, life remained paralysed in Pulwama, where an Army Major and three soldiers and a civilian were killed and two top militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were gunned down on Monday.

Business and other activities resumed and traffic was plying in Srinagar and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in the Kashmir valley, where internet mobile service of all Cellular companies has also been restored.

The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) and the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) had called for a strike today which was supported by High Court Bar Association (HCBA) and several other organizations in protest against attack on Kashmiris outside the valley. Traders in civil lines closed their establishments from 1500 hrs on Saturday and organized a dharna for some time in the Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city.

The 3-km-long famous Sunday market from Radio Kashmir, Srinagar crossing to Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), including Regal Chowk, Gantaghar and historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, also remained closed yesterday.

Shops and business establishments reopened this morning and traffic was plying on all roads in Srinagar and outskirts.

The historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, was open for devotees. Large number of security forces deployed in the Jamia market have also been withdrawing.

Reports of normalcy were also reported from other major towns and tehsil headquarters in the valley.