Transport, business, tourism, education bear brunt; Mobile phone, internet suspension adds to people’s woes….
Srinagar, Sep 23: Even after 50 days of the spontaneous shutdown in the wake of abrogation ion Article 370 and the bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh, there seems to be no improvement in the prevailing uncertainty that grip the Valley on August 5. All the major sectors that include transport, business, tourism, education are the worst hit even as communication suspension has added more to the uncertainty.
According to wire service Monday, Kashmir completed 50 days of uncertainty that gripped the Valley on August 5, when Centre rolled back Article 370. A massive clampdown was imposed across the erstwhile State to ensure no law and order issue takes place. Kashmir, however, relatively peaceful, but spontaneous shutdown is being observe since past 50 days besides all the schools that were re-opened by the authorities across Kashmir, continue to witness very thin attendance of students.
As far the higher education, all the major Universities across Kashmir remain closed for the 50th consecutive day. According to the transporters, transport sector has been the worst even as 50,000 vehicles including Tata Sumos and public mini-buses stand grounded. “We are not able to ply because of the shutdown across Kashmir. We don’t want to put lives on the line,” he said. “We have procured loans to buy vehicles with an only aim to earn a living. But our all hopes stand shattered as since past 50 days, we have not earned a single penny,” Ali Muhammad, a sumo driver told.
Similarly, tourism sector has also sustained a major jolt since August 5. Majority of the tourism players blame Centre for issuing an advisory asking the tourists and Amarnath pilgrims to vacate Kashmir immediately. The advisory was issued on August 2.
“Our hotels, and houseboats are empty. We are running in huge losses,” Junaid Rashid, a local tour operator told.
Similarly, business sector too have suffered huge losses given the spontaneous shutdown across the Valley. As per tentative estimates, a single day of shutdown costs Kashmir Rs 150 crore losses.
What has added more to the foes of people across Kashmir is the continuous mobile phone suspension. Since August 5, the authorities have only restored landline connective and there has been no official word as to when the mobile phones will restored in Kashmir. “My father was operated last week and I came to know today as my brother was unable to inform me about it,” said Fehmeeda, who was desperate to board an auto to reach SMHS hospital Srinagar on Monday.
KNO
