Kashmir Valley back on its feet after strikes, curfew

SRINAGAR - Life limped back to normal in summer capital Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley Saturday after 11 days of separatist shutdowns and official restrictions.

Educational institutions, banks, post offices, markets and other business establishments across the Valley opened again after they had shut down July 6. Public transport also plied normally.

Two people, including a 25-year old woman, were killed July 6 in firing by security forces in the city’s Batmaloo area. The incident triggered massive protests and violence forcing the authorities to seek the army’s assistance in maintaining calm.

A police officer told IANS that there were no restrictions anywhere in the Valley.

Hundreds of vehicles, both public and private, were seen on the roads returning life to the city roads.

School children were the happiest as they came out of the Old City areas where official restrictions had paralysed life for nearly two weeks.

“It is a great experience. I shall be meeting my friends at the school for the first time after 12 days,”, said 14-year-old Madeeha, a student of Presentation Convent school here.

Markets were busy as people rushed to buy essential household items.

Shops in uptown and Old City areas, which continued to sell essential commodities to during restrictions, had run short of supplies as shopkeepers could not replenish their stocks.

“The main wholesale markets were closed for the last 12 days. I will buy fresh stocks for my shop today,” said Mehraj-ud-Din, a shopkeeper in Rajouri Kadal area.