Shutdown enters 15th week in Kashmir, normalcy limping back !

Srinagar, Nov 11 (UNI) Strike continued for the 99th day on Monday in Kashmir valley, where people were protesting against the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5.

Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting assembly of four or more persons, continued as a precautionary measure in the valley on Monday, police said. However, there is no curfew in any part of the valley.

Meanwhile, all gates of historic Jamia Masjid in the downtown remained closed for devotees since August 5.

A large number of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) are deployed in Jamia market and outside to prevent people from entering the worship place. However, there are no road blocks in the area.

Shops and business establishments remained closed after functioning in the morning for about three hours from 0700 hrs in Srinagar on Monday in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city.

Public transport, including the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses remained off the roads since August 5. However, private vehicles were seen plying on some routes in the civil line and uptown.

Train service between Baramulla in north and Banihal in Jammu also remained suspended since August 5.

Pre-paid mobile service and internet service, including Broadband of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), also remained suspended for the past 99 days.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in this and other district and tehsil headquarters of south Kashmir on Monday, a report from Anantnag said.

However, private vehicles were seen plying on the roads, but passenger traffic remained off the roads. Complete shutdown also continued in south Kashmir district of Kulgam.

Life remained paralysed due to strike in this and other north Kashmir towns, a report from Baramulla said.

Traffic was off the roads, though a good number of vehicles were seen plying in the district. Additional security forces remained deployed at sensitive places to prevent any law and order problem.

Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam, where business and other activities remained paralysed since August 5.