Traffic jams in Srinagar despite shutdown

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 15: The shutdown paralysed life in Kashmir for 130th day today during which situation largely remained peaceful and a large number of vehicles and pedestrian movement was recorded on the roads.
Police said that miscreants tonight hurled a petrol bomb at the shop of Adil Ahmad Malik at Pulwama Bus Stand. The shop caught fire due to petrol bomb attack in which the shopkeeper was seriously injured. He has been referred to Srinagar for treatment.
In Baramulla town, miscreants today hurled three petrol bombs at a Bank and two in a market place. One didn’t explode while two others caused scare among the people without causing any damage.
The shops, commercial establishments, educational institutes and other offices remained closed across Kashmir. Heavy movement of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws, mini-buses and passenger cabs’ as well pedestrians was seen in civil line and uptown areas of the city. There was traffic jam at several places in Civil Lines area of Srinagar.
Hundreds of vendors had set up their stalls in Lal Chowk area and large number of shoppers were also seen buying winter garments. In Old City, hundreds of forces men were deployed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainwari and Khanyar – since early morning. However, there was civilian movement without any disruption.
Stone-throwing and clashes erupted at Noorbagh area of Old City. Police resorted to teargas shelling and chased away the stone throwing protesters. The situation in the area later returned to normal but tension prevailed in the area.
The private transport was plying in all other districts of the Valley while some passenger cabs and few buses were also seen plying on inter-district roads without any disruption.
A police spokesman said the situation remained peaceful throughout the day.