Normal life resumes in Srinagar; shutdown in Palhallan

After three days of restrictions, normal life resumed in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley today but Palhallan area of Baramulla district observed shutdown against the killing of a local youth in police firing on Monday.
Separatist groups had called for shutdown on February 9 and 11 to commemorate the death anniversaries of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat.
While Guru was hanged on February 9, 2013 inside Tihar Jail, Bhat was sent to the gallows inside the Delhi Jail on February 11, 1984.
The authorities had clamped restrictions in parts of the city here to thwart any protest demonstrations and to maintain law and order.

While the situation remained by and large peaceful in Srinagar, a youth Farooq Ahmad Bhat, was killed and another injured in firing by security forces during stone-pelting in Palhallan area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Monday.
In the wake of the killing, the separatist groups called for a strike on Tuesday also, forcing the authorities to impose restrictions on that day as well.

While there were no restrictions in place in any part of the Valley and no strike call by separatists today, a shutdown was observed in Palhallan town.
"There are no restrictions in any part of Kashmir. However, there is a shutdown in Palhallan town but the situation is normal," officials said, adding, security forces have been deployed in strength in the town to maintain law and order.

Shops, offices and business establishments reopened today in the city and elsewhere in the Valley while government offices and banks functioned normally, they said.
Public transport also plied normally, they added.