Month on, J&K markets reopen

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Many shops and markets reopened and public transport resumed, gradually, in parts of Kashmir including Srinagar, on Monday after the month-long lockdown imposed to contain the surging Covid-19 infections last month was partially lifted.

From early Monday morning, shopkeepers started to open shutters hesitantly and people trickled into the streets.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed lockdowns continuously for the last three years – first with abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and then following two Covid waves in 2020 and 2021.

The authorities had imposed a Covid curfew on April 29 and decided to lift it from Monday.

In the 15 districts of the UT, including Srinagar and Jammu, which have been placed under orange category, outdoor bazaars and shopping areas will open on alternate days while in five districts of Kashmir in red category — Pulwama, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and Kupwara — public transport and malls will remain shut. However, auto-rickshaws will follow an odd-even system.

Weekend curfew will continue in all the 20 districts from Friday 8pm to Monday 7am and the daily curfew will remain in force from 8pm to 7am.

State executive committee has kept all educational institutions, including the private coaching centres, closed till June 15. It also opted to keep all cinema halls, multiplexes, clubs, gyms, spas and paid parks closed until further orders.

In a major relief marginal labourers including construction workers and daily wage earners were also seen returning back to their work.