While Kashmir has been gradually returning to normalcy, movement of people and traffic was comparatively less today due to an apprehension of law and order problems after the Friday congregational prayers.
The unrest in the Valley triggered after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, has seen separatists inciting protests after the Friday prayers that turn violent leading to clashes with security forces.
Officials said many shops, fuel stations, and other business establishments were shut in most areas of Kashmir. Most of the public transport in the Valley was also off the roads.
However, in some areas in the civil lines and the outskirts of Srinagar – the summer capital of the state – few passenger vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, were seen plying, the officials said.
They said few shops were also open in these areas as well as in some other towns of the Valley.
Some vendors have put up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk city centre, they said.
The separatists have been issuing weekly protest programmes. However, with more and more people defying the separatists’ strike call, they have announced two full days of relaxation on Saturday and Sunday in the agitation programme — the first full day relief since July 8.
As many as 86 people, including two policemen, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.
Around 5000 security forces personnel have also been injured in the clashes.
Historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar remained under siege for the 19th consecutive Friday and prayers were not allowed in the worship place.
Authorities disallowed Friday prayers in the Jamia masjid Srinagar, situated in the old city area ever since month of July.
Chief religious cleric and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also not allowed to move to Jamia masjid.
“Mirwaiz saheb is continuously under house detention and he was stopped from reaching Jamia masjid today also,” Hurriyat (M) spokesman and media advisor to Mirwaiz advocate Shahid ul Islam told Kashmir Post. Shahid himself is undergoing house detention since July.
