Tensions continue to prevail in Kashmir where normal life was hit on Monday due to a spontaneous shutdown following the abrogation of the state’s special status and bifurcation of J&K into two union territories.
According to reports, extra paramilitary force remained deployed to maintain law and order in the Kashmir valley where, barring some incidents of stone pelting and protests, situation remained by and large peaceful in the past 24 hours.
Although private transport continued to ply normally, daily passengers who had to reach their businesses and offices or patients were still struggling to find public transport on the road across the Valley.
Meanwhile, historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq in the down town, remained closed for devotees since August 5. All main gates of the worship place are closed for devotees and CPMF remained deployed in the Jamia market and outside .
Train service between Baramulla in north Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended since August 5 for security reasons while students continued to stay away from their classes. The internet service and pre-paid mobile network of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since August 5 as a precautionary measure in the valley, causing great losses to IT, On-Line and other industries.
Business and other activities remained paralysed and traffic off the roads on Monday since August 5 in the summer capital, Srinagar and outskirts. However, shops and business establishments were open this morning in some parts of the city for about three hours from 0700 hrs.
Passenger traffic, including the buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, remained off the roads. However, private vehicles besides some inter district cabs and three wheelers were also seen plying on some routes.
Elsewhere in the valley there was no change in the situation as life remained crippled due to spontaneous strike since August 5. Business and other activities remained affected and transport remained off the roads. However, private vehicles and some cabs were seen plying on some routes.