Temporary Normalcy Returns In Kashmir
By Sheikh Imran Bashir
25 July, 2010
Agence India Press
Srinagar: An uneasy calm prevails in the Kashmir Valley, Schools, banks and business establishments have reopened after days of curfew, restrictions and shutdowns, Kashmir Valley is abuzz with normal life on Sunday as the Hurriyat (G) called for the resumption of normal activities on the day. Vehicles too have come back on the roads. Despite an official holiday on Sunday, most banks, private-run schools and shops were open in Srinagar.
The reopening came after calls by Hurriyat Conference to resume "normal" life for a day that sent shoppers flooding into the streets to stockpile supplies ahead of a general strike set for Monday and more protests in coming days.
People have resumed their normal activities and markets and private offices are functioning. There are traffic snarls due to the heavy rush of people. Traffic jams were witnessed on many roads in view of the heavy rush of people.
Normal activities started early in Srinagar and other towns like Sopore, Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Tral, Pampora etc. Shops, business establishments, educational institutions and offices are open.
Transport from and to the Srinagar Airport is also running as normal with reports of a surge in tourist arrivals since the last three days.
There are no reports of any incident or security clampdown from any area so far.
Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayats, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar while interacting with various groups of people during his extensive tour of the Srinagar city appealed the people to help the Government in restoring the peace and normalcy in the State. He said these factors are paramount in furthering the developmental projects and uplifting the socio-economic condition of the people. “Government is abreast of the problems being faced by the people and in this regard necessary instructions have already been passed to the concerned to redress these within the shortest possible time”, he maintained. Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen announced a ceasefire in plains in Kashmir.
"We have stopped our activities in plains and those areas where protests are going on. We will take on the security forces in the hinterland," said HM chief Syed Salahuddin in a statement to the media.
The situation in the valley became tense on June 11 when a teenager was killed after he was hit by police at Gani Stadium near Rajouri Kadal in old city.
This is for the second time in nearly a month that normalcy returned to the valley. On July 17, shops, schools and commercial establishments reopened after the separatists allowed people to resume normal activities.
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