Business as usual across Kashmir
Srinagar, Dec 11: In the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 370, extraordinary security arrangements were put in place to tackle any situation but it was a normal day in Kashmir and people were busy with their chores.
Business establishments and government offices across Kashmir remained open while traffic plied normally on the Valley roads.
There were no restrictions on traffic or movement and business establishments opened on time on Monday morning.
People did not face any hassle at any road or place.
Since morning, heavy columns of Police and paramilitary forces were deployed at sensitive locations to thwart any move by the anti-peace elements.
“We opened our shops like we used to every day,” said a shopkeeper at Jawahar Nagar. “It was not a different day.”
Lal Chowk – the commercial hub of Srinagar and other towns experienced hustle and bustle like other days.
Reports of a normal day were also received from the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama.
Similar reports were received from the north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora, and central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal.
Senior government officials said that it was like a normal day.
“There were no restrictions in any part of Kashmir although security arrangements were put in place as a precautionary measure,” officials said. “There was no report of any untoward incident.”
The government officials here said that attendance in government institutions and other offices was normal.
NO ORDERS OF ARREST, NORMAL ACTIVITIES IN KASHMIR: POLICE
J&K Police on Monday denied getting any orders to arrest in connection with court proceedings including on Article 370.
The Police put a post on X, probably after claims of house arrest by two former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
The National Conference (NC) spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah said the party’s vice president Omar Abdullah had been “locked up in his house while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said through a social media post that its president Mehbooba Mufti had been put under house detention.
“It is to clarify that the Police have no orders to affect any kind of arrest, and certainly not connected with court proceedings including on Article 370 by the apex court. There are no restrictions on any movement,” J&K Police posted on X.
Police said there were no restrictions on any movement.
“Examinations as scheduled by different public bodies are being held as scheduled, businesses are open and transport is plying. Common man’s normal life continues at its usual pace and police, though alert about attempts of the handful always eager to disrupt peace, have no intention or instructions to curtail this freedom of movement and activities. People are urged to go about their lives and not get hassled or intimidated by social media posts contrary to this,” it said in another post on X.
