Barring few incidents of stone pelting, the situation was normal during the past 24 hours in the Kashmir valley, where life remained crippled for the 45th day on Wednesday due to spontaneous general strike against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A besides dividing state into two Union Territories.
However, shops, particularly selling essentials, wedding suits and other material besides dry fruit, are functioning from 0600 hrs to 0900 hrs in Srinagar, including historic Lal Chowk daily. Later shops and business establishments close during the day.
Meanwhile, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, banning assemble of four or more persons, continued as a precautionary measure in the valley, where internet and mobile service of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since August 5.
“There was however, no curfew restriction in any part of the valley today,” officials said on Wednesday.
There were stone pelting incidents in different parts of the city, including Rambagh, where a number of vehicles were damaged on Tuesday. Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Kulgam in south Kashmir.
The historic Jamia Masjid in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) remained closed since August 5 and a large number of security forces remained deployed to prevent assemble of people and any demonstration in the worship place. Students also continued to stay away from their classes though teaching and other staff members are attending their duties. Universities, colleges, tuition and coaching centres also remained closed since August 5. Now private schools have provided assignments and video tutorials to students for home study.
Shops and other business establishments remained crippled in summer capital, Srinagar and its adjoining areas for the past 45rd days on Wednesday while public transport, including the buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), remained off the roads. However, private vehicles were seen plying on roads in the down town, SeK, uptown, civil lines and outskirts.
Elsewhere in Kashmir valley, life remained crippled with all shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads due to strike since August 5. However, private vehicles were seen plying on majority routes.
Reports received here said that business and other activities remained crippled for the 42nd day today in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian. There was also no change in the situation in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Pattan, Sopore, Handwara and Ajas in north. Reports of shutdown were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam.
Large number of security forces remained deployed to maintain law and orders in the valley.
