Srinagar: Normal life has come to a grinding halt across Kashmir for the 47th consecutive day with all business establishments, schools closed while as the public transport continues to remain off the roads. The cellular and internet gag also continues to be in suspension mode since past seven weeks.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the revocation of the Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir through a Presidential order which sparked spontaneous shutdown in the Kashmir region and till date normal life continues to remain badly affected. However, some private vehicles were seen plying on the different routes in the city amid thin deployment of paramilitary forces and barricades were also placed at various places of downtown area.
Official sources told KNO that there are no curbs and restrictions on the movement of the people and traffic though the restrictions under section 144 CrPC, which prohibits the assembling of four or more people, were imposed in some volatile areas of the valley to prevent any law and order situation.
Meanwhile, the people of the valley continue to witness the ongoing communication gag including mobile internet services, broadband internet services, the lease line services and VSAT as well causing great inconveniences to the people from all walks of the valley. The valley based schools also remain closed due to absence of public transport which compelled most of the students to stay away from their schools despite the concerned authorities announced the reopening of Schools up to the class 10th.
An official told KNO that hectic efforts are being made by the officials of education department to woo students to their respective schools, but to no avail. “Attendance of students in almost over 4000 schools continue to be thin even though staff remain present,” an official revealed. Even as the spontaneous shutdown has entered seventh straight week, education, transport, tourism and business has been worst hit. (KNO)