Life returns to normal in Kashmir after day-long strike

Srinagar, Dec 21: Life returned to normal on Thursday in the Kashmir valley where a general strike was observed on Wednesday on the call by separatists against the killing of two civilians, including a woman, in alleged security force firing recently.

However, partial bandh was observed in some parts of Shopian, where two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were killed and two jawans injured in an encounter with security forces early this week. A woman was also killed and about ten others injured allegedly when security forces opened fire, fired pellets and burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators near the encounter site.
Shops and business establishments reopened in Srinagar and traffic was plying on all routes normally since this morning, including the areas where security forces removed road blocks in the areas, where restrictions had been imposed yesterday in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas besides parts of civil lines to prevent any demonstrations. Work in government offices and banks and other public sector undertakings was normal.
Reports of normalcy were received from Baramulla and other north Kashmir towns and tehsil headquarters with business and other establishments functioning normally and traffic plying on all routes.
Normal activities also resumed in this and other south Kashmir districts, a report from Anantnag said. However, life remained affected in some parts of Shopian district, where shops and business establishments remained closed. However, majority vehicles were plying on different routes. UNI