Govt lifts Kashmir curfew

Normalcy returns to Valley for a day; week-long strike from today

Meanwhile, a teenager, who was injured in police firing on Tuesday, died in hospital on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as 17-year-old Fida Nabi. He was injured in firing near Parimpora in Srinagar.

People resumed normal work following a call from the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, which is spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley. However, a week-long programme of strikes, protests and marches called by the Hurriyat will begin on Monday.

Despite being a holiday, shops and other business establishments reopened on Sunday. A large number of schools also re-opened and vehicles plied on roads.

People thronged markets in large numbers, causing frequent traffic jams. Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk,  Moulana Azad Road, Residency Road and adjoining areas saw a sea of people.

Streets and  roads in the Old city, which witnessed a series of clashes between protesters and the police in the past, were flooded with people. People stocked big quantities of vegetables, chicken, meat, bread and fruits. “Essential commodities had  got exhausted and we had hardly anything left for eating,” said Rehana, a housewife. 

Shopkeepers said they were falling short of stock because of the curfew and strike. “We could not get the required supply from Jammu and Delhi. With the strikes again beginning from Monday, there is hardly any chance of the supply arriving,” said Mohammad Ramzan, a trader. As banks were closed for many days, there was a huge rush at ATM counters.

Meanwhile, normalcy lasted for only a few fours in Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir following protests and clashes between demonstrators and the police. Clashes were reported between protesters and the police in different parts of Srinagar city in the evening.