Srinagar: After markets remaining abuzz with shoppers for the past five days, life was again affected as business and other activities came to a grinding halt again in support of the separatists’ two-day strike call from today.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, for the first time have given strike call for only two days in a week in the last fortnight of December. In its previous calendars, the separatists used to give relaxation over the weekends.
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.
However, the markets, which were flooded with customers in the city from last five days, were again closed while only few private and public vehicles, besides three-wheelers, could be seen plying on some routes.
Even as intense cold weather conditions continued in Kashmir valley, business and other activities were functioning normal from last five days as enthusiastic shoppers flooded the markets to buy warm clothes, besides other essential items, following relaxation by separatists.
However, today all shops were again closed in the main business hubs in civil lines, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city.
Government forces were directing people and vehicles to take other routes as they have closed Amira Kabal bridge, connecting Jahangir chowk with Lal Chowk, with barbed wires.
Meanwhile, all roads leading to Maisuma have been closed with barbed wires.
The situation was no different in uptown, where shops and business establishments, which were open for five days till yesterday, were again closed. Only some public and private vehicles were plying on roads, which used to witness traffic jam on Airport road at Rambagh due to traffic diversion.
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