Strike entered its 50th day on Monday in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A besides division of the state into two Union Territories (UT) on August 5.
However, in some areas, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar, some shops and business establishments are functioning for two hours from 0700 hrs to 0900 hrs only. However, the shops later remained closed during the day in all areas. No such activity is witnessed in the downtown, where security forces remained deployed to maintain law and order.
There was no curfew in any part of the valley on Monday though restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, banning assembly of four or more persons, continued as a precautionary measure in the valley to maintain law and order, officials said. However, security forces remained on high alert to impose strict restrictions in case of any violence in the city.
A large number of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF), holding automatic weapons and lathis in their hands, remained deployed to prevent any demonstration in Kashmir, where internet and mobile service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since August 5 to prevent spread of rumours.
All gates of historic Jamia Masjid in the Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) remained closed to prevent assembly of people in worship place since August 5. Large number of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) are deployed in the Jamia Market and outside the Masjid to maintain law and order. No prayers, including on Fridays, were offered in the Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, since August 5 due to restrictions.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed in summer capital, Srinagar and its adjoining areas for the past 50 days while public transport, including buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), was off the roads on Monday. However, private vehicles were seen plying on roads in the downtown, SeK, uptown, civil lines and outskirts. .
Life remained crippled elsewhere in the valley with all shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads due to strike since August 5. However, private vehicles were seen plying on some routes.
Business and other activities remained crippled for the 50th day on Monday 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 Kashmir. Reports of shutdown were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam.(UNI)
