Srinagar, Jul 31:
Shops and business establishments remained open for the third consecutive day on Friday though the administration had announced only two-day relaxation in lock down in Srinagar to allow people to purchase essentials for Eid-ul-Adha, being celebrated on August 1. Public transport remained off the roads and all shrines and mosques remained closed. However, private vehicles were seen plying in large numbers on the roads, leading to frequent traffic jams at several places. The relaxation period ended at 1800 hrs last evening and there was no fresh order for lock down or relaxation being extend by the District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar. The DMs of central Kashmir district of Badgam and Baramulla have stressed on strict compliance of new guidelines prescribed under new Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) issued by the government. The District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar on Tuesday said in view of the Eid-ul-Azha festival only essential services shops are allowed to open from 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs on Wednesday and Thursday. The shopkeepers and customers had been directed to strictly adhere to COVID-19 preventive guidelines issued by the administration, including wearing masks, maintaining safe distance and avoiding crowded places. The administrators had also warned of maximum penalties in the form sealing of shops and other establishments and imposing fine against violators. Majority shops and business establishments in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Ganga Ghar, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Goni Khan, Mahraj Bazar, Budshah Chowk, Batmaloo, Neelam chowk and other places were open. However, very less number of customers could be seen as people had the impression that restrictions have again been imposed from last evening. Though major confectionary and bakery shops in the city are closed today as they completed the sale of their products till yesterday. However, small bakery shops were still open and people could be seen making purchases. Similar scenes were witnessed in the uptown, down town and outskirts, where shops and business establishments are open.
However, sheep and goat sellers said for the second consecutive year they suffered losses. This year due to COVID-19 and other financial problems, very less number of people turned up for purchase of animals for sacrifice. We are very disappointed due to very low sale as compared to last year when there was total curfew after August 5, when centre scrapped Article 370 and divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs), they said. Though administration has directed people and shopkeepers to wear masks, maintain physical distancing and take other precautions to avoid further spike in COVID-19 cases, in some cases violations could be noticed in the busy markets.
