Life returns to normal, Shut down in central Kashmir parts

Srinagar/April 12:  Barring some parts of Budgam and Ganderbal, life returned to normal after remaining crippled for two days due to strike called by separatists against killing of eight youth in security force firing on anti-polling protestors during bypolls in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency on April 9.
Shops and business establishments reopened this morning and traffic on all routes was plying normally in summer capital, Srinagar, and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in the valley.
However, business and other activities remained paralyzed for the third day Wednesday in some parts of central Kashmir district of Budgam and Ganderbal, where shop were remained closed and traffic was off the roads.
A shutdown was observed for two day till yesterday in the valley following a strike called by both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation demanding ‘right to self determination’. The separatists had also given strike call on April 9 and 12 against bypolls.
But, they withdrew the strike call for Wednesday after Election Commission of India (ECI) deferred bypoll in Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency in view of violent clashes that left eight youth dead and over 150 others, including 100 security force personnel, injured during Srinagar Lok Sabah seat by-election on April 9.
Shops and business establishments reopened in major business hubs, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Budshah Chowk, Regal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Residency road and Moulana Azad road, Maisuma, Batmaloo and Dalgate. Traffic was also plying on all routes, leading to traffic jam on some busy routes in the city.
Normalcy also returned in the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), where shops and other business establishments were functioning normally and traffic plying on all routes. Work in government offices and banks was also normal. Educational institutions, which wore a deserted look for two days till yesterday due to strike, were also functioning normally.
However, despite withdrawal of strike Wednesday, shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in some parts of violence hit Budgam, including Chadoora, Beerwah, Charar-e-Sharief and other adjoining areas. Life also remained crippled in Barsoo and adjoining areas in Ganderbal, where traffic was off the roads and business and other activities remained crippled.
Meanwhile, reports of return of normalcy were also received from Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and other areas in north Kashmir.
Similarly situation was also normal with business and other activities resumed this morning in south Kashmir.