A shutdown was observed on second consecutive day after brief relaxation ended yesterday during which there was increase in the flow of transport on roads while a shopkeeper was seriously hurt in stone attack at Pulwama district.Most of the shops, commercial establishments, financial and educational institutes and petrol pumps were closed in summer capital Srinagar while public transport was also mostly off the roads. However private transport was plying normally across the city and some passenger vehicles were also plying in civil lines areas.In downtown areas falling under five police stations, the authorities re-deployed government forces including police and CRPF to prevent outbreak of protests.
However, no one was being stopped by these forces men and the movement of pedestrians as well as private vehicles went on smoothly.In the evening, stone-pelting clashes were reported from Nawa Kadal, Fateh Kadal and Kawdara areas of Old City between forces and youth. Police lobbed teargas shells towards the youth and the clashes continued for an hour. According to witnesses, several shops were seen open from many uptown localities of city including Jawahar Nagar, Sanat Nagar, Chanapora, Dalgate, Batwara, Karan Nagar, Kak Sarai and Rajbagh.The reports of shutdown were also received from other districts of the Valley. According to sources, a shopkeeper identified as Muhammad Altaf Ganai was seriously wounded after he was attacked with stones by unidentified persons for defying shutdown at Nikas village of Pulwama. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar where his condition is being stated critical.(GNS)