Srinagar: Defying the separatist-sponsored strike, more and more street vendors put up stalls at the weekly flea market around the commercial hub of Lal Chowk in the summer capital which witnessed increased movement of traffic.
“More vendors have put up their stalls at the weekly flea market, also known as Sunday market. The market witnessed normal activity,” a police official said.
He said there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws in the city, especially in the civil lines areas, including Lal Chowk, and the outskirts of the city.
More shopkeepers were now opening their business establishments and there was improvement in movement of people and transport with each passing day, the official said, adding that many hand cart vendors were also selling goods like fruits, vegetables, fresh juice, tea and snacks at many places along the TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis in the city.
However, normal life continued to remain affected for the 107th straight day today in the rest of the Valley due to separatist-sponsored strike following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8.
While there were no curbs on the movement of people anywhere in Kashmir, the official said restrictions on assembly of four or more people were in place throughout the Valley for maintaining law and order.
He said security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable spots and along the main roads as a precautionary measure.
Shops, business establishments and fuel stations remained shut, but are expected to open this evening as separatists have given a 14-hour relaxation in the shutdown from 5 pm.
The separatists, who are spearheading the ongoing agitation in support of their demand for right to self determination, have been issuing weekly protest calendars since Wani was killed.
The ongoing unrest in Kashmir has affected education as schools, colleges and other educational institutions continue to remain shut in the Valley.
The government has notified holding of board examinations as per the schedule next month, but the move has drawn sharp criticism from students and parents who accused it of being insensitive to lack of academic activity due to the shutdown.
As many as 85 people, including two cops, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.
Thousands of youth, including some top separatist leaders, have been arrested by police over the past three months in an attempt to break the impasse.
Over 300 persons have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
PTI
