Srinagar, Dec 5: There was no change in the situation on Thursday as shops and other business establishments remained closed during the second half of the day after functioning normally in the morning in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting against scrapping of Article 370 besides dividing the state into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5.
Pre-paid mobile and Internet service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended as a precautionary measure in the Kashmir valley, where political leaders, including three former Chief Ministers of Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti besides ex-ministers and legislators, remain detained since August 5.
Meanwhile, large number of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) remained deployed on streets despite sub zero temperature since morning to maintain law and order.
Shops and business establishments reopened this morning in Srinagar, including historic Lal Chowk as usual. However, after functioning for several hours, shops were again closed in the afternoon. Public transport, after remaining suspended for more than three months, is now operating normally on all routes in the valley. People are observing total spontaneous strike against scrapping of special status of the state since August 5.
However, shops and business establishments are now functioning for four to five hours in the morning for the past one month. But, due to cold in the morning, shops are now opening late and closing in the afternoon. However, in some areas shops remained open throughout the day.
Similar reports were also received from other parts of the Kashmir valley. Pre-paid mobile service besides Internet, including Broadband, remained suspended, badly hitting students, traders, journalists and other professionals.
In the absence of internet students could not registered themselves for NEET and other professional examinations. Candidates also failed to apply for posts in different central and state government departments.
The traders also failed to file their GST and other returns. The authorities have made arrangements in the office Deputy Commissioner for filing forms.
