SRINAGAR – Life was hit due to spontaneous shutdown across Kashmir Valley though a couple of days back, shops and other business establishments had opened up in various parts but due to appearance of purported militant posters, shopkeepers preferred to remain indoors while on Friday almost all the shops and business centres remained shut while skeletal movement of public transport was observed on the roads. This was day 112th in Kashmir when life was disrupted in the length and breadth of Valley.
Even though police have issued a strict warning stating that rumour mongers and those who stop people from doing normal business will face music, yet shops remained closed. At commercial hub Lal Chowk shopkeepers opened up their shops during morning hours but closed it down at noon. Eyewitnesses told Kashmir News Trust that shops remained completely shut in major areas of Srinagar city including commercial hub Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar, Gonikhan, Kokar Bazar, Batamaloo, Karan Nagar, Ram Bagh, Hyderpora, Natipora, Mehjoor Nagar, Dalgate, Sonawar, Khanyar and other areas. The roads wore a deserted look in old Srinagar city and green belt area. Even in Sanat Nagar and Jawahar Nagar areas where shops remain open, not a major business activity was reported on Monday.
Internet shutdown persisted for the consecutive 112th day while pre-paid mobile services and SMS service also remained in shutdown mode.
Pertinently, Kashmir is on edge from past 112 days after Government of India scrapped Article 370 and bifurcated the State.
Reports of shutdown also poured in from other parts of Kashmir including Budgam, Gandrebal, Kangan, Pakharpora, Beerwah, Magam, Khag, Pulwama, Tahab, Pampore, Tral, Awantipors, Shopian, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Ashmuqam, Pahalgam, Kokarnag, Kulgam, DH Pora, Doru, Baramulla, Sopore, Pattan, Tangmarg, Bandipora, Kupwara, Handwara, Kralgund, Lolab and other parts.
Mobile Jammers to be installed in and around MLA Hostel
Taking strong note of political detainees lodged at MLA Hostel using cell phones here in Kashmir capital Srinagar, authorities have decided to install mobile jammers in and around this make-shift jail, official sources said on Monday.
Pertinently, MLA Hostel has been converted into a Sub-Jail.
Official sources told Kashmir News Trust that political prisoners will not be allowed to use cell phones in future. Sources added that at SKICC erstwhile subsidiary jail, political detainees were allowed to use cell phones, but after they were shifted to MLA Hostel, authorities have taken a tough stand and have decided not to allow these detainees to use cell phones.
Over thirty political prisoners including Sajad Lone, Shah Faesal, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Mubark Gul, Waheed Parra, Tanvir Sadiq, Salman Sagar, Nayeem Akhtar and others are lodged at MLA Hostel.
According to official sources, authorities have decided to install mobile jammers in coming days. Sources added that over two dozen phones have already been seized by police from the political detainees.
Authoritative sources said that Government of India doesn’t want any development taking place at MLA Hostel to be made public. Sources added that GoI wants to initiate a political dialogue with these detainees and to block the flow of information coming from inside or outside the Hostel; it has directed to install mobile jammers. (KNT)
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