Kashmir shuts down after a few 'normal' days

Srinagar: The Kashmir valley observed a shut down a day after the Centre said that everything was normal in the Union Territory. Markets which open for a few hours in the morning remained closed on Thursday. Public transport which had resumed since a week remained off roads too. Schools which had reopened for the new session remained closed as well. Even street vendors kept away from usually busy flea markets.

The Valley had been on strike since August 5, when J&K’s special status was revoked and the state split into two UTs. The Centre had also shut down mobile internet since then. However, after early snowfall on November 7, which damaged apple orchards, disrupted electricity and stalled activities for a few days, people had resumed businesses for longer hours and public transport was visible in some areas.

“Everybody (in Kashmir) feels dejected but they haven’t been able to give vent to their feelings in any form. So, you cannot describe this deceptive peace on the ground as normalcy,” a senior official in the administration told ET. Despite the mobile internet gag and absence of politicians, most of whom are in jail or house arrest, the information of observing complete strike was communicated to people across the valley.


According to official figures, around 41 people have been killed in J&K since August 5. This includes 18 militants, five locals and 12 non-locals killed by militants, four civilians killed by the armed forces during protests and two armed forces personnel. The official statement also said that around 50 shops across valley were damaged or set on fire by 'mischievous elements' and posters urging people to continue strike were seen at around 60 places. The administration has lodged FIRs in all cases, but the probe is yet to make a breakthrough.