Life remain crippled for 89th day in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar, Nov 1 (UNI) Life remained crippled due to strike for the 89th day on Friday in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting scrapping of Article 370 besides dividing it into two Union Territories on August 5.
Meanwhile, Girish Chandra Murmoo and R K Mathur became the first Lt Governors of UTs of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir respectively after they were administered oath of office by Chief Justice, Justice Geeta Mittal on Thursday.
Security forces remained on alert to foil any demonstration or stone pelting after Friday prayers in the valley, particularly in summer capital, Srinagar.
All roads leading to historic Jamia Masjid in the downtown remained closed to prevent assembly of people in the worship place, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq. The Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMFs) remained deployed in the Jamia market and outside the Masjid, where no prayers were held since August 5.
The internet service and pre-paid mobile network of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since August 5 as a precautionary measure in the valley, badly affecting professionals, students, doctors and media persons. However, postpaid and landline phones are working smoothly.
Railway department continued to suffer huge losses due to suspension of train service between Baramulla in north Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region since August 5 for security reasons.
Business and other activities remained paralysed and traffic off the roads on Friday since August 5 in the summer capital, Srinagar and outskirts. However, shops and business establishments again reopened this morning after three days of total closure. Business activities resumed from 0700 hrs till 1000 hrs today.
Work in government offices and banks, housed in buildings on main roads, was affected. However, in some areas banks are functioning in the morning for few hours before closing down again.
Transport service, including the buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, remained off the roads. Private vehicles and three wheelers were also seen plying on different routes, particularly in the uptown and civil lines. However, in the down town very less private vehicles, particularly two wheelers were seen plying.
A report from Anantnag said shops and business establishments remained closed in this and other district and tehsil headquarters of south Kashmir on Friday. Very less number of private vehicles were seen plying on the roads as passenger traffic remained off the roads.
A complete shutdown also continued in south Kashmir district of Kulgam, where vehicle of a BJP district leader was set on fire by some miscreants in the wee hours of Friday.
Additional CPMFs remained deployed to prevent any stone pelting on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, passing through south Kashmir districts.
A report from Baramulla said that business and other activities remained crippled since August 5 in this and other north Kashmir districts. Traffic was off the roads though some vehicles were seen plying on Srinagar-Uri highway. Additional security forces have been deployed on bridges, connecting down town with civil lines in Baramulla and Sopore towns to foil any demonstration.
Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam.
Image: UNI
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