Restrictions lifted in parts of Srinagar, normal life remained affected on 76th day

Curbs were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the Friday congregational prayers.

October 19, 2019 04:01 pm | Updated 04:01 pm IST - Srinagar

A man walks infront of closed shops in a market during restrictions imposed in the old city of Srinagar on October 18, 2019.

A man walks infront of closed shops in a market during restrictions imposed in the old city of Srinagar on October 18, 2019.

Restrictions that were imposed in parts of Srinagar in view of Friday prayers were lifted on October 19, but normal life remained affected across the valley for the 76th consecutive day following the dilution of provisions of Article 370 , officials said.

They said the curbs, under Section 144 of the CrPC, were imposed in Anchar area under the jurisdiction of Soura police station and the areas around the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta police station on the morning of October 18.

They were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the Friday congregational prayers.

The restrictions have been lifted from parts of the city here, the officials said.

Authorities have been imposing curbs in vulnerable areas of the valley on Fridays, apprehending protests. Friday prayers have not been allowed at Jamia Masjid, the grand mosque of Kashmir in Downtown (old city area), for over two months.

Meanwhile, normal life remained affected across the valley. Shops opened for a few hours early in the morning in some areas, including in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk in the city here, but the main markets and other business establishments were shut, the officials said.

Private transport plied unhindered in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir, the officials said, adding few areas in the city witnessed traffic jams. Auto-rickshaws and few inter-district cabs were also seen plying in some areas of the valley, they said.

However, the other modes of public transport were off the roads.

Schools and colleges were open, but students stayed away as parents continued to keep them at home due to apprehensions about their safety, the officials said.

Mobile services were restored in Kashmir earlier this week, but the SMS facility was snapped again hours later due to apprehensions of the services being misused.

Internet services, across all platforms, continued to remain snapped.

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