Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 20: Kashmir valley remained abuzz for the second successive day today as markets witnessed heavy rush of shoppers despite chilly weather conditions following 48-long relaxation in strike by separatists from yesterday.
Life returned to normal yesterday for the first time after 133 days in Kashmir, where about 90 civilians were killed and several thousand were injured in security force and police action in July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag.
Meanwhile, markets around historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers could be offered for the past 19 weeks due to restrictions, also witnessed heavy rush of shoppers.
Streets remained flooded with vehicles and some routes witnessed traffic jams in the city, where traffic police had issued advisory for smooth traffic movement.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, had announced relaxation for 48 hours from yesterday. The separatists have, however, extended the strike till November 24.
This was for the first time after 133 days of unrest in Kashmir valley that separatists gave relaxation in the strike during the day. Earlier, separatists used to give relaxation in the strike between 1600 hrs to 0700 hrs next morning.
Despite below freezing temperature in Kashmir valley, including summer capital Srinagar, business and other activities again resumed early this morning and currency ban hardly affected enthusiastic shoppers, who could be seen buying warm clothes, besides other essential items.
Srinagar once again came alive for the second day today as shops and business establishments reopened despite Sunday and traffic was plying on all routes though there were frequent traffic jams on some busy routes.
However, banks remained closed but the ATMs are open though there is hardly any long queue.
Majority of shops are open in the main business hubs in civil lines, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Gonikhan, Residency road, Moulana Azad road, Mahraj Bazar, Batmaloo, Iqbal park, Dalgate, Regal Chowk and Budshah Chowk.
Even though temperature was below freezing point, interestingly ice cream parlours in Lal Chowk were flooded with customers while café houses in the city were abuzz with customers.
Passenger vehicles, besides private vehicles, were also plying on the streets in civil lines, leading to traffic jams on busy routes though traffic police personnel were on their toes to regulate the traffic.
The situation was no different in uptown, where shops and business establishments opened early this morning while traffic was plying on all roads. There was traffic jam on Airport road at Ram Bagh due to bottleneck created because of construction of flyover on which work remained suspended since July
A report from Baramulla said that shops and business establishments again reopened for the second day this morning and traffic was plying on all routes in this and other north Kashmir district tehsil headquarters.
However, security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in strength to prevent any untoward incident.
Business and other activities also resumed for the second day in this and other south Kashmir towns, said a report from Anantnag, where shops and business establishments were open and traffic was plying on all routes.
Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir district of Badgam and Ganderbal. |
