Separatists extend five-month long shutdown in Kashmir Valley by a week

Srinagar: Separatists on Wednesday extended the near about five-month long shutdown by a week even as the unrest is showing signs of fatigue with people defying the strike calls and increasing their activity.

The separatist camp, spearheading the ongoing agitation in the Valley, extended the shutdown till December 8, while continuing the two-day full relaxation over the weekend.

It also announced 16-hour relaxation in the strike beginning 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday but called for complete shutdown on Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

The camp asked the people to "exclusively" use public transport on the relaxation days for the support of the transport community.

Earlier in the day, most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments remained open in civil lines as well as in interior areas and outskirts of the city.

"Public transport has significantly improved in Srinagar and elsewhere. Apart from cabs and auto-rickshaws, a large number of buses are plying in the city," officials said.

They said similar reports of increased public activity were received from most of the other district headquarters of the Valley.

During the full days relaxation on the weekends earlier, the Valley was abuzz with activity with people resuming their daily lives.