Srinagar/June,8: Life returned to normal in Kashmir valley after remaining crippled yesterday due to restrictions and strike called by separatists against the killing of a youth in alleged security force firing on June 6 in Shopian.
Official sources said there were no restrictions in any part of the valley Saturday though security forces remained deployed in strength to maintain law and order.
The situation was normal in summer capital, Srinagar, where restrictions under section 144 CrPc were imposed yesterday within the territorial jurisdiction of seven police stations of Srinagar district, including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma.
All road blocks were removed by the government forces and shops and business establishments reopened Saturday morning in the old parts of Srinagar city , where traffic was plying normally on all routes. Security forces and State police personnel, who were deployed around the historic Jamia Masjid, were Friday prayers were not allowed yesterday, have also been withdrawn.
All business establishments, which were closed yesterday due to strike called by separatists, were working normally in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve-centre of the summer capital, Budshah chowk, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Regal Chowk, Moulana Azad Road and Residency Road. Traffic was plying normally on all routes in civil lines, where some busy roads witnessed traffic jams.
The situation was no different in uptown, where shops and business establishments opened early Saturday morning while traffic was plying on all roads.
Meanwhile, the situation has returned to normal in south Kashmir district of Shopian, where restrictions were imposed yesterday to prevent protests against the civilian killing. Business and other activities were also normal in other south Kashmir towns, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Awantipora and Pampore, where shops and business establishments were open and traffic was plying on all routes.
Reports of restoration of normalcy were also received from entire north Kashmir, where shops and business establishments opened and traffic was plying on all roads after day-long strike yesterday.
Life also returned to normal in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, where business and other activities resumed early this morning after restrictions were lifted. Reports of normalcy were also received from central Kashmir district of Budgam.
