Kashmir Valley returns to normalcy after 4-day long shutdown

Life finally returned to normalcy four days after separatists leaders in the Kashmir valley called for a complete shutdown, to mark the second anniversary of the hanging of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru.

"We faced a lot of problems in these four days of strike. Everything was shut and our daily business was closed. Now after four days all the shops and markets are opening with normal traffic," said a resident, Mohammed Iqbal.

According to reports, shops, business establishments and government offices were open and public transport was running smoothly.

Earlier this week, members of the separatist Hurriyat Conference had appealed to the residents of the valley to observe a complete shutdown after a youth, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, had been killed by security forces on February 9. Bhat was killed when the forces had allegedly opened fire on a group of stone-pelting protesters in the Palhallan area of north Kashmir.

Shopkeeper Bashir Ahmad said his business had been affected with the shutdowns and urged for permanent solution.

"A solution to this problem of intermittent shutdown and strikes has to be sought amicably, which is agreed by everyone. This problem should be addressed once and for all, so that we can proceed towards development," he said.

Afzal Guru, was given the death sentence by after being found guilty of attacking the Parliament in 2202 and of conspiring to wage war against the country.

President Pranab Mukherjee had rejected a mercy petition by Afzal Guru and he had been hanged in Tihar jail on February 9, 2013.