After 79 days, valley sprung into life for 16 hours

SRINAGAR: Following Hurriyat's call of relaxation in protest calendar, for the first time in last 79 days, Kashmir Valley remained abuzz with activity on Sunday afternoon.

Life returned to streets in Srinagar and other major towns of Valley at 2 pm on Sunday, when most of the shops opened and people rushed to markets for shopping.

The government also lifted deployment and curfew from many areas including sensitive old Srinagar city, at noon, during which protests erupted at few places. Police and CRPF fired tear smoke canisters to disperse the gatherings.

"This relaxation is an occasion of get together for all of us. Otherwise, what business can happen in half day," said Mushtaq Ahmad, who runs a computer accessory shop at Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

All influential trade bodies in Kashmir including, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kashmir Economic Alliance, transporters and tourism players have supported Hurriyat's call for protests, since July 9, this year, when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir.

"We are ready to remain shut for next three months, if it brings some sort of political resolution to Kashmir issue," Abdul Rehman, who runs a wholesale grocery shop in Sarai Bala Srinagar.

Hurriyat leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yaseen Malik, issue a joint protest calendar every week, which as of now is being strictly followed across Kashmir Valley. Sunday's 16-hour relaxation from 2pm to 6am on Monday is longest in last 79 days, while on other days Hurriyat has asked people to resume businesses after 6pm, extending the strike till September 29.