On 131st day of mass uprising, a shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley during which situation largely remained peaceful and a huge number of vehicles and pedestrian hit the roads across the region.Most of the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutes and other offices were closed across the Srinagar. Heavy movement of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws, mini-buses 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 be seen plying in good numbers but the vendors were invisible. Some passenger cabs’ were seen from Rainwari and Khanyar areas.Stone-throwing clashes erupted at Nowhatta and Pandan areas of Old City in the evening after. 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. Reports said private transport was plying in all other districts of the Valley while some passenger cabs’ and few buses were also seen plying on inter-district roads without any disruption. Police said the situation remained peaceful throughout the day.(GNS)