Situation in Kashmir normal on the day of bypoll

Srinagar, Apr 24 (UNI) For the first time since the eruption of militancy in 1989, situation in the Kashmir valley remained normal on the polling day today.

Shops and business establishments are open and traffic was normal on all routes in South, Central and North Kashmir except those falling under the three assembly constituencies of Pattan, Rafiabad and Sangrma in North Kashmir.

The state government has declared a holiday in these areas.

General strike used to be observed in the past during any election in the valley but the situation is but the situation is fast changing now.

Though both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and almost all militant outfits have asked people to stay away from the poll process, there was no general strike from any organisation as was being done in the past.

Educational instutitons are also functioning normally and attendance in govenment offices and banks was as usual.

UNI BAS MYK AK BD1320