Shutdown continued for the 66^th day on Wednesday in Kashmir valley,where people are protesting against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5

However, hectic activities were witnessed in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city and outskirts with shops and business establishments opening for customers between 0630 hrs to 0930 hrs this morning. Later, all activities came to halt for the day with only Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) on highalert to prevent any law and order problem.

Meanwhile, mobile and internet service of all Cellular companies and train service between Baramullain north Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region remained suspended since August 5

There was no report of any majoruntoward incident and the situation remained by and large peaceful in Kashmirvalley during the past 24 hours, officials said, adding there was also nocurfew restriction in any part of the valley on Wednesday. However,restrictions under Section 144 CrPC, banning assemble of four or more persons,continued as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

CPMF remained deployed inthe Jamia Market and outside the Masjid to maintain law and order. Shops andbusiness establishments remained closed and traffic was also off the roads inthe down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK). All gates of historic Jamia Masjid , stronghold of moderate HurriyatConference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, remained closed fordevotees since August 5.   

Life remained crippled withshops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads insummer capital, Srinagar and its adjoining areas for the past 66 days. Publictransport, including State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, also remainedoff the roads on Wednesday. But, private vehicles were plying on most of theroutes in the city and outskirts while a number of cabs and three wheelers werealso seen operating on some district routes in the morning.

Life, elsewhere in thevalley, remained paralysed with all shops and business establishments closedand traffic off the roads on Wednesday.

Shutdown also continued insouth Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Awantipora, Tral andKulgam. Business and other activities remained shut and public transport offthe roads. 

Shutdown continued for the66th day in this and other north Kashmir districts and tehsil headquarters, areport from Baramulla said. Large number of CPMF remained deployed to preventany law and order problem. However, private vehicles and some cabs could beseen plying on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. Reports of continued strikesince August 5 were also received from central Kashmir districts of Budgam andGanderbal.