As the uncertainty crossed 100 day mark on Monday, the life across Kashmir is limping back to normalcy with many shops remaining open throughout the day while the private vehicles too are back on roads partially.According to eye-witnesses, frequent traffic mess is being witnessed at many of the places including the commercial Hub Lal Chowk and other adjacent areas from last couple of days. Witnesses told the wire service –Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the passenger vehicles including mini buses, cabs and others could be seen ferrying passengers on various routes from last couple of days, bringing respite to the people, who were facing immense hardships in absence of private vehicles since August 5.The people across Kashmir observed spontaneous shutdown since August 5, when the government in centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370) and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories. The decision taken on August 5 was implemented on October 31.The shops that remained closed since then have started opening gradually in many markets while as the street vendors continue to install their stalls at various routes especially from TRC to Batamaloo road stretch.
Witnesses told KNO that the shops and other business establishments in many areas including the commercial Hub Lal Chowk remained open till evening hours from the morning today, adding that many of the areas especially in Old City’s downtown, however continued to witness markets only in morning hours, considered as ‘morning deal’ during the uncertainty in Kashmir.However, the internet services including broadband as well as mobile internet continued to remain suspended since August 5, leaving the people across Kashmir to lurch at large. The journalists, working in different organizations also held a protest on Monday after 100 day internet gag and demanded immediate restoration of the services.The prepaid mobile services also remained suspended across Kashmir while other communication services including postpaid mobile phone services and landline that were suspended in the intervening night of August 04-05, were restored gradually till October 14, 2019 following the improvement in the situation.The train services too resumed partially on Monday after the gap of 100 days on uncertainty in Kashmir, while as the government has decided to resume the services fully on November 16.Notably, the mainstream political leaders including the three former chief ministers of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State, who were detained on August 5, continued to remain under detention while some among them especially those who are Jammu based were released by the government. (KNO)