Business, other activities remain affected due to J&K session

Srinagar, Aug 21 (UNI) Life in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, remained affected for the second day today due to unprecedented security arrangements and closure of busy Budshah bridge by the authorities because of Legislative assembly session.

The most affected were the shopkeepers in the area between Budshah Chowk to Jehangir chowk, which has been closed for civilian movement by the authorities, fearing a militant attack during the session.

Even the mediamen, with valid car passes had to take longer route via Zero bridge to reach their offices across the birdge, which otherwise is just two minutes drive from the complex.

The traders and shopkeepers associations besides Hurriyat Conference has criticised the government for imposing a ban on civilian movement on the Budshah bridge.

As the news reach outside the complex that the assembly will meet again in the afternoon, people were agitated as no traffic or pedestrain movement will be allowed till all the VIPs left for their homes.

Abdul Aziz said it was unfortunate that those calling themselves as peoples' represenatives are putting common masses to difficulties. What are they discussiong in the assembly.. how to help common people or how to add to their difficulties, Aziz said.

Women, students and elderly persons too were not allowed by the security force personnel to cross the bridge. Instead they had to reach their destination after taking the Amira Kadal route.

Militants in the Nineties fired grenades and rockets towards the complex on the bank of the river Jehlum from unknown destination during the session. However, majority of them exploded in the mid-air or fell in river Jehlum.

On October Ist, 2005, more than 45 people were killed after a fidyeen blasted himself with a vehicle near the main gate while another enetered the complex who was later killed by the security forces.

UNI