Uneasy calm prevails even as life remained crippled for the 21st day on Sunday in the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar since August 5, when Article 370 and 35 A were scrapped and division of the state by the centre was effected.
There was no report of any major untoward incident during the night in the valley, where restrictions were further eased on Sunday though shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads.
Meanwhile, a complete communication gag, including suspension of landline, mobile phone and internet services, continued since August 5, when railway service was also suspended due to security reasons. However, in some uptown areas landslides were restored.
A large number of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF), holding automatic weapons and lathies in their hands and wearing bullet proof jackets and headgear, remained deployed on streets keeping a close vigil.
A UNI correspondent, who visited a number of areas in the down town and civil line areas, saw CPMF deployed in strength to prevent any demonstration. However, road blocks, including barbed wire have been removed but kept on roadside to deploy them again in case of any emergency.
Restrictions were further eased in some areas in the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) after about two weeks on Sunday. However, restrictions continued in majority areas in the down town and SeK to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, all gates of historic Jamia masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, remained closed and large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed to prevent any assembly. Bullet proof vehicles have been deployed near the main gates and large number of security forces could be seen deployed in Jamia Market and outskirts.
Business and other activities remained crippled in the down town and SeK and outskirts since August 5. CPMF and state police personnel remained deployed to thwart any demonstration. Residents alleged that they continued to face shortage of essentials.
Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in summer capital, Srinagar and outskirts for the 21st day on Sunday. However, private vehicles, including two wheelers could be seen plying in the civil lines, uptown and outskirts.
Reports of restrictions and shut down were also received from other district and tehsil headquarters in Kashmir valley. However, exact situation in these districts could not be ascertained due to suspension of communication network.
Life remained paralysed in this and other north Kashmir district and tehsil headquarters with shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads. Security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in strength in apple township of Sopore, Pattan, Palhalan, Bandipora, Ajas and other areas in north Kashmir. Adequate security forces remained deployed on bridges over river Jehlum connecting old town with civil lines to prevent any procession.
Business and other activities remained crippled since August 5 in this and other south Kashmir district and tehsil headquarters, a report from Anantnag said. A large number of security forces remained deployed to maintain peace and order.
Reports of strike were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam, where shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads. However, private vehicles were seen plying on some routes. (UNI)
