Life in Srinagar city on Monday started limping towards normalcy as authorities lifted curfew from entire Kashmir Valley except three police station areas after 51 days of continuous curfew following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
While public transport continued to be off the roads, there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaws on the roads in Srinagar. Minor traffic jams were seen along the Rambagh-Jawahar Nagar-Rajbagh axis leading to commercial hub of Lal Chowk due to the increased movement of private vehicles.
The attendance in government offices also showed an upward trend with a majority of employees reporting for work. The banks were also open and witnessed a massive rush of customers as soon as they opened.
However, schools, colleges and other educational institutions and shops remained closed due to the strike called by separatists groups who have asked people to lock down all government offices, except essential services.
Meanwhile, mobile internet continued to remain suspended in the Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobiles remained barred. The separatist camp, which is spearheading the agitation in the Valley, has extended the strike call in the Valley till September 1.