Curfew-like restrictions force many to postpone weddings

At least a dozen families had today issued cancellation notifications of the wedding ceremonies and feasts in local newspapers.

Most of the cancelled wedding parties were scheduled for the next three days.

Kashmir Valley has remained shut for four consecutive days since Monday when the revered shrine, housing centuries old relics, was gutted in a devastating fire.

The fire triggered protests as people clashed with police and paramilitary officers in the old city prompting the government to impose severe restrictions on the civilian movement in Srinagar's volatile downtown neighbourhoods.

"Due to the prevailing situation, the marriage ceremony which was scheduled on June 29 and 30 is hereby cancelled", a notification in a local newspaper issued by a family living in the city's uptown Peerbagh area read.

The notifications are reminiscent of 2008 and 2010 when hundreds of wedding ceremonies and feasts were cancelled during the summer protests in the Valley.

The marriage ceremonies in Kashmir are accompanied by an elaborate Wazwaan feast - a mutton cuisine considered an art and has a place of pride in Kashmiri culture.

The continuous shutdown in the Valley, where most of the shops have remained shut for the last four days, has led to non-availability of supplies forcing marriage cancellations.

Guests have also been struggling to travel across the Valley to the host destinations due to shutdown and restrictions.