Kashmir unrest: After two days of relaxation, shutdown resumes in Valley today

Srinagar [India], Nov. 21 (ANI): After two days of relaxation by the Hurriyat Conference, the prolonged shutdown picked up where it left off in Kashmir Valley on Monday as schools, colleges and business establishments followed the protocol and streets resumed their deserted look. Meanwhile, the police and CRPF have been deployed across all the district headquarters and in Srinagar city to foil the separatists protest call. The two-day respite from the shutdown by separatists came after private passenger vehicles plied on some routes in Srinagar after being severely hit by the four-month long strike. This was the first time that separatists announced full-day relaxation during the ongoing unrest which began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The separatists had called on the people to use public transport to make up for the losses incurred during the last few months. "There will be full day relaxation on November 19 and 20. People are requested to exclusively use public transport on these days for the support of transport community," said a statement. The Valley burst into life following the relaxation, as shops, commercial establishments, petrol pumps and educational institutions opened in Srinagar and in other major towns and villages. Authorities had also removed deployments of security forces from all the areas of the Valley including in Srinagar's downtown. The people in large numbers thronged the markets and there were traffic jams on all major city roads throughout the day. (ANI)