Srinagar: Life remained crippled for the 76th day on Saturday as Kashmir remained closed in protest against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5.
Though shops and business establishments are working for about two to three hours from 0630 hrs in the morning , train service and pre-paid mobile and internet service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since August 5 as a precautionary measure.
The historic Jamia masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, presently under house arrest, remained closed for devotees since August 5. Adequate number of security forces remained deployed in the Jamia market and outside the worship place to maintain law and order.
Students continued to stay away from their classes since August 5 though government had announced that there will be no relaxation in syllabus and issued date-sheet for examinations of 10th and 12th classes from the last week of this month.
There is no curfew restriction in any part of the valley on Saturday. However, restriction under Section 144 CrPC continued and additional Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) remained deployed in strength since August 5 to prevent any law and order problem. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said ban on any procession or rally would continue. However, only those having proper permission from the district authorities would be allowed hold such activitities.
Security forces deployed in strength after August 5 are on high alert to maintain law and order.
Majority shopkeepers again resumed their normal activities this morning in the summer capital today from 0600 hrs. However, life again came to halt at 0930 hrs when traders closed their establishments and left for their homes. Public transport was off the roads in the city. However, the number of private vehicles and number of three wheelers on the roads were seen plying, particularly in the civil lines and uptown areas. The State Road Transport Corporation (SRT) buses also remained off the roads.
Life remained paralysed elsewhere in the valley, where additional security forces remained deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Pattan, Handwara and Sopore in north Kashmir. Reports of strike were also received from Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Pampore and Kulgam in south Kashmir, where additional security forces remained deployed to maintain law and order. There was also no change in the situation in the central Kashmir districts of Badgam and Ganderbal, where business and other activities remained paralysed.