Buzz back in Valley bazaars

BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar: After nine days complete curfew in the Valley, markets today returned back to life with people in large numbers flocking shops. On the first day of the Ramzan, fasting month for Muslims, people made huge purchase particularly food item.
Most of the shopkeepers in the city told Greater Kashmir that the rush for the entire day was overwhelming. “We remained busy for the entire day as there was huge rush of customers,” said Musataq Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Nowhatta in the Shahr-e-Khaas here. Due to the strike against the enforced economic blockade to Kashmir by some fanatic groups in Jammu followed by nine-day curfew in the Valley imposed by the government to prevent public rallies, the markets in the Valley remained off for more than a week.
The branch offices of various banks operating in the Valley today witnessed a huge customer rush. Throughout the day while the bankers were busy in disbursing the cash, the customers in large numbers could also be seen withdrawing amounts at the ATMs spread across the Valley. Most of the customers throughout the day were seen in long queues waiting for their turn at different ATMs in Srinagar. “I am waiting for about 15 minutes for my turn and I think it is going to take some more minutes,” said Arshad Ahmad at an ATM at MS Mall, here.
Huge rush could also be seen at the shops of vegetable vendors, bakers, and meat shops across the Valley. “It took me half an hour to get a kilogram of mutton from a local meat shop,” said Audil Hussain of Qamarwari.
“The rush was expected as people could not purchase anything, and even the essential commodities, during the curfew period,” said Abdul Majeed, a shopkeeper in Safakadal.
People over here spend huge amounts in the month of Ramzan mostly on edibles items.
Many people could be seen purchasing daily-use items including food articles in large quantities fearing that situation may again take an untoward turn, which could lead to further strikes or curfew. “I bought rice which could suffice for three months to my family,” said a customer. However, the high-end products and services found few takers today. Jewelry, readymade garments, shoes, and other non-essential items were almost negligible.
Almost all the segments of the business witnessed rush. “Many constructions works had come to a halt for want of necessary material. But today those works were resumed and people purchased the goods,” said Javaid Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Bemina. Javaid who sells sanitary fitting items said: “I made good sales during the day.”