Life returns to normal in Kahsmir Valley

After three days of curfew, restrictions and separatist-called protest shutdowns, life returned to normal in the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday.

Although, higher secondary schools and colleges in Srinagar city and in other districts were shut by authorities to prevent student protests, most of daily life resumed as usual.

Shops, public transport, other businesses, banks, Post Offices and government offices started functioning in Srinagar city on Wednesday morning.

Pedestrian and vehicular movement brought the city back to its hustle and bustle that was missing in the past three days.

Taxis carrying tourists to Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and other destinations also started early morning as the boatmen on the Dal Lake looked forward to a busy schedule after three days off work.

Authorities did not impose curfew or restrictions anywhere in the city.

Separatists have also not issued any new protest programs. They had called for two days of complete shutdown on Sunday and Monday before calling for a protest march to Tral town on Tuesday.

The march to Tral, the hometown of slain Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat, was to offer fourth day funeral prayer (fateha) for Bhat and his associate Faizan Ahmad, who were killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Saimough village of Pulwama district on Saturday.

Bhat had succeeded Burhan Wani as the Hizbul commander after Wani was killed in a gunfight in Kokarnag area of Anantnag district on July 8, 2016.

Wani's death triggered a summer of discontent and months of violence in Kashmir that left nearly a hundred people dead.

--IANS

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