Business and other activities in Srinagar affected

Srinagar, Nov 22 (UNI) Business and other activities in the civil lines, particularly in the Lal Chowk, nerve centre of the summer capital, were affected after CRPF and police conducted a search operation.

Shopkeepers and their customers and pedestrains, including women and children, were taken by surprise when CRPF and police personnel sealed the entire area from Gantha Ghar to Lal Chowk.

''You cannot leave the area,'' a security force personnel told a couple who had come from Baramulla for shopping.

All those present in the sealed area were directed to stand in queues before allowing them to leave after they were properly frisked and their identity cards checked.

This has almost been a routine in the civil lines affecting normal business and other activities, said Abdul Rashid a shopkeeper.

Traffic on the busy route also remained suspended and vehicles were directed to take longer routes, resulting in traffic jams.

UNI