SRINAGAR – Uneasy situation prevailed in the Kashmir valley, where life remained affected for the 97th day on Saturday in protest against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5.
To maintain law and order, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting assemble of four or more persons, would continue as a precautionary measure in the valley on Saturday, police said.
Meanwhile, all gates of historic Jamia Masjid in the down town remained closed for devotees since August 5. Large number of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) are deployed in the Jamia market and outside to prevent people from entering the worship place, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who is currently under house arrest.
Very less number of shops and business establishments reopened in the morning for about three hours from 0700 hrs in Srinagar on Saturday. The number of roadside vendors was also very less, selling vegetables and fruits in Srinagar.
Public transport, including State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses remained off the roads since August 5. However, passenger vehicles were seen plying on some routes in the civil line and uptown. Train service between Baramulla in north and Banihal in Jammu also remained suspended since August 5. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan has directed Railway department to resume train service from November 11.
Pre-paid mobile service and internet service, including Broadband of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) also remained suspended for the past 95 days.
Shops and business establishments remained closed in this and other district and tehsil headquarters of south Kashmir on Saturday, a report from Anantnag said. However, private vehicles were seen plying on the roads but passenger traffic remained off the roads. Complete shutdown also continued in south Kashmir district of Kulgam.
Life remained paralysed due to strike in this and other north Kashmir towns, a report from Baramulla said. Traffic was off the roads though good number of vehicles were seen plying in the district. Additional security forces remained deployed at sensitive places to prevent any law and order problem.
Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam, where business and other activities remained paralysed since August 5.
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