Srinagar: With each passing day, activities on roads are increasing as traffic is almost normal though shops and business establishments remained closed for 146th day on Thursday in support of separatists-led call in Kashmir valley.
Police said there was no curfew or restrictions in any part of the Kashmir valley though security forces remained deployed in strength to maintain law and order.
Shops and business establishments remained closed though activities on roads witnessed an upward spiral as transport movement was almost normal on various routes in the Valley, especially in Srinagar. At some places traffic jam could also be witnessed.
Meanwhile, all educational institutes wore a deserted look as students preferred to remain away in support of separatists call though examinations for 12th grade were going on as per schedule in Kashmir. Examination for class 10th concluded on November 28 in the valley.
All shops were closed 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. But, large number of passenger and private vehicles were plying on the streets in civil lines, resulting in traffic jam on some routes.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, in its latest calendar have extended the strike till December 8.
However, they have given full day relaxation in strike over the weekend though ‘Lal Chowk challo’ call on Sunday evening could affect normal activities in the summer capital, Srinagar.
Routine life picked up in Kashmir valley on last two successive weekends, when the separatists had given relaxation in the strike.
Business and other activities remained affected on Thursday in this and other south Kashmir towns, including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Awantipora, Pampore and Pahalgam, a report from Anantnag said.
However, near to normal traffic, including inter-district cabs, besides private and public vehicles, were plying on some routes in south Kashmir, where government offices and banks were also affected due to the strike.
A report from Baramulla said that life was again affected due to strike in this and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in north Kashmir, where work in government offices, banks and schools remained affected due to the strike.
Security forces and state police personnel remained deployed in entire north Kashmir, where shops and business establishments remained closed.
But, large number of private and public transport was plying on roads in entire north Kashmir though security forces remained deployed on bridges over river Jhelum, connecting old town with civil lines in Baramulla.
Similar reports were received from Kupwara, Handwara, Bandipora, Ajas, Pattan and Palhalan, where life remained.
Reports of complete strike were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Badgam, including Kangan, Charar-e-Sharief, Chadoora and Chanapora, where business establishments and shops were open over weekend due to relaxation in strike. However, good number of passenger and public transport was plying on roads at some places in the Ganderbal and Budgam.
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