After months of tumult, Valley smiles ahead of Eid

Eid al-Adha shoppers thronged the markets in Srinagar to make purchases for the festival which is expected to be celebrated with a lot of fervour across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, now that the atmosphere in the state has settled to calm after months of turmoil, reports Mukhtar Ahmad.

Kashmir Valley plunged into the cycle of violence followed by bandhs and curfews after the death of a schoolboy on June 11 in the old city of Srinagar.

Tufail Ahmad Mattoo was hit by a police fired teargas shell on his head, triggering a chain of clashes between protestors and the security forces which claimed 112 lives and left hundreds others wounded in the Valley over the past five months.

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However, the calm is expected to last till November 20, the day of the next protests.

But the protests seem to be the last thing on the mind of Srinagar shoppers right now.

Markets in the capital remained abuzz with shoppers thronging for purchases before Eid, as roads remained clogged with traffic making even the pedestrian movement difficult.

The traders hit by months of shutdowns and curfews finally have a reason to smile. They are having a busy time selling merchandise to the enthusiastic shoppers.

Bakery, mutton, poultry products, fresh vegetables and sweets are in great demand apart from readymade garments and footwear.

"I am seeing this rush in my shop after a long time, and I feel happy. But we are short of many items as the supplies have been hit by the turmoil," said Manzoor Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.

Traders in the flea market had field day selling warm clothing, which are in great demand now that winter is setting in.

"Eid is an occasion to celebrate, and I think everyone is out after a long time shopping for the festival," said Zubair Ahmad, a government employee.