Life returns to normal in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, December 18

The life in Kashmir valley today turned full of hustle-bustle after a five-day relaxation, the longest called by the separatists since the current unrest began.

All shops and business establishments were open since early morning today, while traffic plied normally on roads in the capital city, other major towns and on the inter-district routes.

There was heavy rush of shoppers in markets leading to traffic congestion in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk in the capital city.

The roadside vends were also set up even as shops and business establishments remained opened, a practice that would continue for the next four days before Friday.

“The Valley is fast heading towards normalcy,” said an official here while referring to the normal life activities going on over the past several weeks.

The unrest triggered by the killing paralysed normal life in the Valley for more than five months now. The Valley suffered a severe setback in the vital sectors of economy, tourism and education.

The separatists while announcing the new calendar last Wednesday deviated from the weekly protest calendar and instead issued a new plan for the next two weeks till the end of this month.

While the situation is gradually leading to normalcy, the seat of the state government has shifted to Jammu, winter capital of the state, which began its working from the first week of November. The educational institutions also remained closed during the summer months due to which the normal academic activities were hit hard.