Life returns to normal in Kashmir after two days strike

Srinagar, July 30 (UNI) Life is limping back to normal after the two-day general strike observed in the Kashmir valley on a call given by breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) in protest against the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam here.

Majority shops in the localities reopened this morning. However, being Sunday, shops and business establishments in civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, remained closed. But roadside vendors in the ''sunday market'' were busy selling their products in the entire civil lines.

Traffic on all rotues was plying normally after remaining suspended for two days.

President Kalam was in the city for two days during which he he addressed the joint session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature, diamond jubilee celebrations at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention hall, on the bank of the famed Dal Lake.

Life in the Dal Lake area, which was closed for all types of civlian activities from July 27 evening, also returned to normal this morning.

Dr Kalam also interacted with children of different schools in Raj Bhawan and answered their questions.

Tourists, mostly locals, were seen heading for Mughal garden, on the bank of the Lake, since morning.

Those who had gone to tourists resorts of Pahalgam, Sonarmarg, Yusmarg and Kokernag on July 27 to distance themselves from the tension in the city in view of the Presidents visit and hartal, returned today.

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