Normalcy returns for a day in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR - Life was back to normal for a day in the Kashmir Valley Wednesday as authorities lifted curfew and separatists called off protests and shutdowns.

“Curfew has been lifted from Srinagar city and other towns of the Kashmir Valley, except Anantnag town,” a senior police officer said here.

Educational institutions, shops, banks, post offices and other business establishments here resumed work normally as shoppers thronged markets to buy essentials.

Traffic police had a tough time regulating the movement of public and private vehicles as they blocked most major roads in Srinagar city. Locals came out in large numbers to shop for Eid that falls around Sep 10 after the current fasting month of Ramadan ends.

“One never knows what is going to happen here tomorrow. I decided to buy a few things for my family today because of the present turmoil. We have decided to celebrate Eid with absolute austerity this year,” said Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a senior bank official here.

The hardline Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani asked people to resume normal activities of life for a day Wednesday and buy essential items.

Geelani’s group has been issuing resistance calendars for the last two months now as part of the group’s ‘Quit Kashmir’ campaign.

The valley has virtually remained shut for over two months because of curfews and separatist shutdowns. As many as 65 people have lost their lives in the ongoing unrest that started June 11.