Gradual improvement in situation in Kashmir

Defying the diktats of the separatists, people in many parts of the city came out today to resume their day-to-day activities even as the separatist-sponsored strike that has affected normal life in the Valley for the 89th consecutive day remained in force.
The unrest, which started a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, is showing signs of fatigue in the civil lines areas of the city as more people were coming out to resume their normal life.
As the authorities lifted curfew across the Valley a few days ago, there has been a significant increase in the movement of private and public transport, except buses, in uptown Srinagar including in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, officials said.

The situation in Kashmir is improving with each passing day.
Normal movement of people and vehicular traffic was observed in parts of Srinagar yesterday, the officials said.
Many street vendors and hand cart vendors have set up their stalls along the TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis in the city, selling goods like fruits, vegetables, fresh juice, tea and snacks at many places and continue with their business activities throughout the day, they said.

The officials said some shopkeepers also opened their shops in the civil lines areas of the summer capital and at few areas in the outskirts of the city.
They said while there were no restrictions on the movement of people anywhere in the Valley, security forces have been deployed at some places, including market places, to instill a sense of security among the people so that they can carry out their day-to-day activities without fear.

Meanwhile, in some parts of Kashmir, including in downtown city and district headquarters and towns, normal life remained affected for the 89th straight day due to the shutdown call of the separatists, who have been spearheading the ongoing unrest in the Valley.
Most of the shops and business establishments in these areas were shut.
While students across the Valley were not attending the schools due to the strike, the government educational institutions at most places were open and teachers were attending their duties, the officials said.
The attendance in other government offices and banks has also considerably improved, they said.

(Reopen DEL15)
In the evening, a police spokesman said barring a couple of stray incidents of stone-pelting, the situation across the valley remained by and large peaceful today, while 76 more people were arrested.
"The situation remained by and large peaceful although a couple of stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Arwani in Anantnag in south and main chowk Bandipora district town in north Kashmir," the spokesman said.
In its continuous and sustained drive against the "trouble mongers", the spokesman said 76 people involved in various offences of disturbing public order in different parts of the valley were arrested during the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, government said it would provide compensation to the owners of two autorickshaws which were set ablaze by protesters in separate incidents in downtown Srinagar yesterday.
"Government will provide compensation to the owners of autorickshaws which were set on fire in downtown area of Srinagar city yesterday," Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan said.
Khan said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has directed administration for immediate release of compensation in favour of sufferers as autorickwas were the only mean of their livelihood.
Divisional Commissioner also directed concerned to indentify the culprits so that they could be punished under Court of law, an official spokesman said.