Kashmir Valley peaceful; more vehicles hitting roads

Increased movement of traffic on main roads of Kashmir and the city's civil lines hinted at return of normalcy even as the other facets of life in the valley remained suspended for the 104th consecutive day on Thursday as separatists extended the shutdown till October 27.

The separatist-sponsored strike in Kashmir completed 104 days but there was semblance of normalcy on the roads in the civil lines areas, including the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, and in the outskirts of the city as more private cars, autorickshaws and cabs plied the roads, officials said.

Traffic snarls were witnessed at many places while some shops were also open in these areas as more people were now defying the separatists call by resuming their day to day activities, they said.

A large number of roadside vendors set up their stalls on the TRC crossing-Batamaloo axis passing through Lal Chowk, the officials said, adding the situation was improving with each passing day.

They said there were no restrictions on the movement of people anywhere in Kashmir and security forces have been deployed in strength at various spots prone to protests and street violence.

Deployment has also been made in some other areas to instill a sense of security among the people so that they can carry out their day to day activities without fear, the officials said.

Meanwhile, life in other areas of the Valley remained affected due to the strike.

Most of the shops and business establishments were shut in rest of the Valley.

They open only during the periodic relaxation announced by the separatists.

However, the officials said, an increased movement of private transport was also seen in these areas.

The ongoing unrest in Kashmir has affected the education as schools, colleges and other institutions continued to remain shut in the Valley.

The government has decided to hold board examinations as per the schedule in November, drawing criticism from students and parents who accused it of being insensitive to lack of academic activity due to shutdown.

The unrest, which began a day after Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, has left 84 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured.

Thousands of youth, including some top separatist leaders, have been arrested by police over the past three months in an attempt to break the impasse.

Over 300 persons have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).