Kashmir braces for summer amid tensions

Internet facility on mobile phones which had been suspended on April 8 was restored on Thursday after days of protest due to the killing of civilians in the Sunday by-election.

Srinagar, April 14: Srinagar, along with rest of Kashmir was buzzing with activity on Friday after train services and internet facilities were restored in the valley which saw return of normalcy after five days of shutdown as seperatists suspended their stir for the weekend.

Train services between north Kashmir's Baramulla town and Jammu's Bannihal town was resumed after five days. Internet facility on mobile phones which had been suspended on April 8 was restored on Thursday evening. Broadband connections on fixed landline also started functioning after a day's interruption.

Markets, other businesses, both public and private transport have started functioning normally throughout the Kashmir valley. Government offices, banks and educational institutions were, however, closed because of a public holiday.

Uncertain 2017?

Very few tourists were seen going to Sonamarg on Thursday because of the heightened tensions in the valley during the last five days. Officials of the state tourism department, however, expect the valley to have a normal rush of tourists as temperatures in the Indian plains are soaring high early this year.

Given a 'shutters-down' situation faced by the local hoteliers, houseboat owners, tour and travel operators and others connected with tourism due to the 2016 summer unrest, these people literally face the prospect of starvation unless the season picks up.

Oneindia News