Life far from normal though restriction eased in Kashmir

Srinagar: Life remained far from normal in the Kashmir valley, where shops and business establishments remained closed and passenger traffic off the roads.
The famous “ Sunday Market” and “ Makkah Market” in the civil lines also remained closed though some vendors had put up their stalls in the Gantaghar and Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city.
Restrictions on assembly of four or more persons under Section 144 CrPC continued in the Kashmir valley to prevent any attempt by Anti National Elements (ANE) to cause any disturbance.
Situation remained by and large peaceful in the Kashmir valley, officials said.
However, officials said restriction on assembly of four or more persons will continue to prevent Anti National Elements (ANE) to cause any disturbance following the death of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who breathed his last on Wednesday night at his Hyderpora residence in the city outskirts.
Barring a minor stone pelting incident in Badgam, the situation remained by and large peaceful in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, K Vijay Kumar said several preventive measures have been taken to maintain Law and Order (L&O) situations. Dozens of preventive arrests have been made, he said.
Large number of security force and Armed Police personnel remained deployed to maintain peace in the valley, including Srinagar, where shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads. However, private transport and several three wheelers and cabs were seen plying on different Srinagar roads, including civil lines, where road blocks have been removed.
The situation in the down town was different where road blocks with barbed wire continued at several places. All gates of historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers were allowed for the fourth week, remained closed. Security. Business and other activities remained paralysed in the down town, including Nallahmar, Nowhatta, Gujwara and Khanyar. However, private vehicles and three wheelers were plying. A number of passenger vehicles were also seen plying on some routes, including Safa Kadal and Eidgah.
All roads leading to the Hyderpora house of Geelani remained closed, including at Galwanpora and Humhama. However, people having confirmed air tickets were being allowed to move towards Srinagar International Airport.
Reports of shops and business establishments remained closed in major towns and tehsil headquarters in the valley.
About three-km-long Sunday market from Tourist Reception Centre (TRC)-Residency road-Regal Chowk, Gantaghar, Lal Chowk and Amira Kadal remained shut. Hundreds of vendors were putting up their stalls , selling from a needle to carpets. Thousands of people were visiting the market and nearby Makkah market.
Mr Kumar has appealed to general public not to pay any heed to the rumours being maliciously spread by the anti-national elements especially across the border with an objective to disturb the prevalent peaceful atmosphere in the valley.
He said several social media platform including Kashmir Media Service which are running from Pakistan have been trying to spread fake news and videos to instigate miscreants to disturb situations. Even a few local media persons and channels have been found spreading fake news.
We are observing it, maintaining evidence and appropriate actions shall be taken against them. Such elements are advised not to spread fake news without consulting law enforcement agencies. Moreover, all the police and security forces personnel have been sensitised regarding facilitating students appearing in different examinations.
The cooperation of general public helped police & security personnel deployed on ground to maintain the law and order. In view of the peaceful situation, mobile internet services shall be restored after reviewing