Kashmir separatists withdraw shutdown call on Diwali

SRINAGAR - Responding to the appeals of the Sikh community to allow Diwali celebrations, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani Tuesday said there would be no protest shutdown in Kashmir Valley on Diwali.

Sikhs in the valley had appealed to the separatist leader not to announce any protest shutdown Friday so that the festival of lights could be celebrated without any difficulty.

In deference to the wishes of our non-Muslim brothers, it has been decided that there would be no protest shutdown Nov 5 so that they are able to celebrate the Diwali festival, Geelani said here.

Shops, other businesses, public transport, educational institutions, banks and post offices started functioning normally across the valley Tuesday as the hardline Hurriyat group asked people to resume normal activities of life Nov 2, 4 and 5.

The authorities did not impose curfew anywhere in the summer capital Srinagar to facilitate the resumption of normal life here Tuesday.

No curfew restrictions have been imposed anywhere in the valley today, a senior police officer said here.

The authorities here maintain the frequent protests and shutdowns called by separatist leaders as part of their over four-month long protest calendar have started losing steam.

Even when separatists have called for protests and shutdowns in recent days, the response to their appeals has been lukewarm,” said a senior police officer here.

“Most activities of life have been going on normally during the last fortnight despite separatist protests. Life has started returning to normal in the valley.