On the day 124 of mass uprising, a shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley during which situation largely remained peaceful.Most of the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutes and other offices were closed across the Srinagar. Heavy movement of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and passenger cabs’ as well pedestrians was seen in civil line and uptown areas of the city.Hundreds of vendors had set up their stalls in Lal Chowk area and large numbers of shoppers were also seen buying winter garments. In Old City, hundreds of forces men were deployed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainwari and Khanyar – since early morning.In Old City, there was however civilian movement without any disruption in all these areas. Private vehicles could also been seen plying in good numbers but the vendors were invisible.Stone-throwing clashes erupted at Nowhatta area of Old City in the evening hours.
Police resorted to teargas shelling and chased away the youths. There was no however injury to no one. The situation in the area later returned to normal.Meanwhile, reports of shutdown were also received from other districts of the Valley. According to reports, clashes erupted at Harmain area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district and at Ajas area of Bandipora district.Detailing Valley’s situation, a police spokesman said: “Situation across the valley remained normal till filing of this report. During the day people were seen busy in their daily activities of life with vehicular traffic plying normally on roads. Shops and other business established were open.Meanwhile, police in order to prevent any untoward incident hampering normal life and flow of traffic continued with adequate deployment on some vulnerable points.”(GNS)