After three days of curfews and strikes, life in Kashmir is returning to normalcy, which was noticed on Monday, July 22, 2013. The strikes started due to the firing incident in Ramban district of the state, which left four people dead. After a three-day break, shops, business establishments and institutions of higher learning opened.
Official sources revealed that public transport – which was disrupted – also started working normally on all routes of the valley. Curfew was imposed by the authorities in all major towns of Kashmir on July 19, 2013. Four people were killed in BSF firing at Gool in Ramban district on Jammu – Srinagar National Highway. The authorities lifted the curfew on July 21, 2013, but normal activities were still suspended due to the strike.
Strike was called by hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Clashes injured more than 200 people, including several security force personnel. Protesters and law enforcing agencies were involved in clashes, that led to violence in the district.
A strong presence of police and paramilitary forces at vulnerable spots across the valley were maintained. However, Ganderbal district remained closed due to protests, after an alleged incident of mischief inside a mosque.
