Normal life remains paralysed in Kashmir on Eid eve

SRINAGAR: Normal life remained affected for the 66th consecutive day today in violence-hit Kashmir, where authorities imposed restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in some areas on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.

Restrictions have been imposed in some of the towns in Kashmir as well as in three police station areas of Srinagar, a police official said here.

He said restrictions have been imposed in the towns of Ganderbal, Kupwara, Baramulla, Budgam, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and Anantnag. The curbs have also been imposed in Khanyar, Nowhatta and M R Gunj police station areas of Srinagar city, the official said, adding the step has been taken to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain affected due to the restrictions and the shutdown called by separatist groups against the death of civilians in clashes in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter.

Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day even on Eid eve today.

They open in the evening on some days of the week in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by the separatists.

The separatists have extended the shutdown programme till September 16.

They have called for a march towards the local office of United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) on Eid-ul-Azha tomorrow.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed.

Some of the areas in the outskirts and civil lines of Srinagar witnessed increased movement of private vehicles and auto-rickshaws this morning, while some shops selling essentials were also open in view of the festival.

Few bakery and mutton shops were open at some places in the Valley where people were seen shopping for the items, the official said.

The deadly violence has left 76 people, including two police personnel, dead and more than 10,000 others injured.