Kashmir breathed a sigh of relief as curfew was lifted on Sunday from all parts of the state. After 79 days of shutdown, the valley saw a heavy rush of people in the markets. Shops and business establishments which had remained closed for 79-days due to separatist call for shut down opened on Sunday after 2 pm.
The main commercial hub of Srinagar, Lal Chowk witnessed traffic jams and movement of large number of vehicles. But, as good as it sounds on the surface, the anger and resentment felt by the youth hasn’t subsided as they plan to answer the separatists groups which have announced a 16-hour relaxation in the shutdown till 6 AM tomorrow.
A police spokesman said the situation across the valley remained normal and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the valley.
“The entire Kashmir Valley is curfew-free today but restrictions are in place in many parts as a precautionary measure,” the official said.
Police, during past 24 hours, arrested 39 more miscreants who were wanted in the offences of harassing shopkeepers, creating disruptions in traffic movement by stone pelting and by placing obstructions on roads and lanes, he added.
He said the curfew was lifted following improvement in the situation yesterday.
As many as 82 people including two cops have been killed and thousands of others have been injured in the ongoing unrest that started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
