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Day 120: Ambiguity continues in Valley amid shutdown

MAJID NABI. Dated: 12/3/2019 10:45:33 AM

SRINAGAR, Dec 2: Situation in Kashmir continued to remain ‘uncertain’ amidst a spontaneous shutdown on 120th day today with shops in some areas open till noon and public transport ply partially on roads.
It has been 120 days since the centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated erstwhile state into two Union territories, broadband and prepaid mobile service is yet to be restored in restive valley.
Even as the administration restored postpaid mobile service and landline phones, other modes of communication which include prepaid mobile and pocket internet seems to be a farfetched dream for the people of Kashmir to accomplish.
Government of India scrapped the Articles 370 and 35A and divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories on August 5 with Jammu and Kashmir having legislation and Ladakh without same.
Shops at major marketplaces of Srinagar city which include Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Polo View, Residency Road, Batamaloo, Amirakadal, Budshah Chowk, Karan Nagar, Goni Khan and Maharaja Bazar were open till 1 PM.
Witnesses said shopkeepers in old city pulled down their shutters at 12 PM while as considerable movement of transport was witnessed on roads.
The reluctance of students to join back educational institutions has left valley’s schools, colleges and universities abandoned even as some private schools have been reopened almost after four months break in Srinagar. Banihal to Baramullah rail service also functioned normally after days of trail runs.
People, however, could be seen purchasing household items from street vendors at many places, since the city’s flea market was ordered to be opened on Sunday’s only, shoppers in abundance thronged Mecca Market to buy warm clothes and other items.