Normalcy returns to Kashmir as separatists call off strike
What's the story
Normalcy returned to most parts of Kashmir Valley today as the separatists called off their three-day strike against the death of six civilians during clashes with security forces, in which eight militants were also killed. A police official said there were no restrictions in most parts of the summer capital today, with shops and other business establishments getting back to business.
Situation
Public transport has also resumed services
The police official said that public transport also resumed services. Similar reports were received from district headquarters of the Valley, except in Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir, the official said. He said markets in the main towns of Pulwama and Shopian remained shut, while the public transport was also suspended. The official, however, said the situation remained peaceful in these areas.
Information
The separatist groups called off their three-day strike yesterday
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an amalgam of separatist groups spearheaded by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had yesterday called off their three-day strike, and asked the people to resume normal activities.
Precautions
Colleges and higher secondary schools continued to remain shut
The police official said most of the colleges and higher secondary schools in various districts of the Valley continued to remain shut as a precautionary measure. He said the universities, however, resumed classes this morning, while most of the schools across the Valley also reopened. "But the restrictions continue in Pulwama and Shopian districts where the educational institutes remain shut," the police official said.
Information
People should hoist black flags and display black arm bands
JRL asked the people to resume normal activities from Wednesday, but at the same time people from all walks of life should hoist black flags and display black arm bands to show their commitment to the movement, a spokesman of the separatist amalgam said.