Hotels,tea stalls remained closed due to Ramzan in J

Srinagar, Sep 2 (UNI) Even though shops and business establishments reopened here this morning after 11-day closure, hotels, restaurants and other roadside tea stalls remained closed in the Kashmir valley because of the holy month of Ramzan which commenced today.

Almost all restaurants, roadside tea stalls and shops selling eatables remained closed in the summer capital and other major towns and tehsils in the valley.

''Because of the holy month, we have decided to close our restaurant during the day,'' an owner at Moulana Azad road said.

He said he last opened his restaurant on August 22. From next day there was strike followed by curfew till last night, he added.

''I cannot open by restaurant even after the breaking of fast in the evening as the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the agitation in Kashmir has asked people to observe hartal after 1600 hrs everyday till Thursday,''he said.

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Bashir Uddin late last night said the holy Ramzan was sighted and the first day of the fasting month will be today.

People were seen purchasing essentials for ''Iftar'', when the day long fast ends.

UNI BAS SP GC1505