With ongoing month of Ramzan people in Kashmir heaved a sigh of relief as life is limping back to normalcy after six days of curbs and restrictions in place. Markets reopened, vehicles plied on roads, and people resumed their daily routines across Valley on Saturday as authorities lifted all remaining restrictions, culminating a six-day period of heightened security following the demise of a top Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.
Even as the high speed restrictions on internet were restored last evening, entire Valley witnessed a complete return to normalcy with shops and business establishments opening their shutters early in the morning, much to delight of common masses who indulge in heavy shopping of essentials during holy month of fasting. Public and private transport plied uninterrupted on all major routes, and pedestrian movement was also observed at Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk and other commercial hubs, officials said.
Life is back on track. There was a heavy rush of customers in my shop today after a week, “Business is back on tracks and so are the customers thronging shops, said Syeda who was seen making purchases from a cloth merchant in the old city. Reports from other parts of Kashmir, indicating that life has returned to full normalcy. Relief was also on the front of commuting as transport services ran normally . All modes of public transport was seen operational on all routes. “It is a huge respite in terms of generating some income….much needed for day today life”, said Ashraf, an auto driver.
Pertinently, administration facilitated the return to routine by restoring 5G internet services and prepaid mobile phone calling facilities across all ten districts on Friday evening.
The services had been suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of provocative content. The ease in communication protocols has allowed businesses to operate digitally and families to connect without interruption.
Educational activities are also set to resume. Schools and colleges, which were ordered to remain closed until March 7, will reopen on Monday. All examinations scheduled up to Saturday were postponed by the authorities. Officials from Kashmir University and the Central University of Kashmir confirmed that revised dates for the pending exams will be announced shortly.
The restrictions were initially imposed last week to maintain peace following protests over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in reported strikes in Tehran. Officials said the protests, particularly in areas with significant Shia populations,led to brief clashes before the situation was brought under control.
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