Life affected due to strike on death anniversary of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 11 (UNI) Normal life was on Thursday affected in summer capital, Srinagar, due to strike on the death anniversary of JKLF founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat who was hanged in Delhi’s Tihar jail on this day in 1984.
Business and other activities were hit due to strike in the city and its outskirts and some other major towns in the Kashmir valley, where security forces remained deployed to prevent any law and order problem.
The historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Frooq, in the down town again a deserted look as both the main gates from Gojawara and Nowhatta were locked. Security force vehicles were parked outside the gates to prevent any assembly in the Jamia market where all shops and business establishments remained closed. HC alleged that Mirwaiz is under house arrest since August 5, 2019 when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs).
Shops and business establishments remained shut on both sides of the Nallahmar, Zaina Kadal, Nowhatta, Fateh Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and Nawa Kadal in the down town. However, private vehicles, three wheelers and some cabs were seen plying.
The historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital also witnessed very less movement as all shops remained closed and traffic off the roads. Similarly business and other activities also remained affected in main business hubs of the city, including Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Regal chowk, Residency road, Batmaloo, Mahraj Bazar and Goni Khan.
However, banks and other financial establishments were functioning in the city. Though majority public transport remained off the roads, good number of private vehicles and three wheelers were plying. A number of mini buses were also seen plying on Batmalo to Batwara and Dal Lake routes though the number of passenger was very less. Good number of road side vendors selling fruits and vegetables have put up their stalls on some city roads.
Similar situation was witnessed in the uptown where majority shops remained closed. However, shops selling vegetables, bread and daily consuming goods were open.