Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 23: Despite relaxation in strike hours by separatists in evening, the economic losses in Kashmir valley are piling up due to unrest that is now in its fourth month even as the protests have largely ebbed.
The separatists, who issue weekly protest calendars to sustain ongoing agitation triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8, give relaxation in everyday shutdown from 5 pm and post-relaxation the shops and other commercial establishments resume their business across the Valley.
Though large number of people throng markets for mandatory shopping, but the trade community of the Valley believe that it is not making any visible improvement in the economy of the Kashmir as people by and large shop only essential commodities. A business leader, requesting not to be named, said only shopkeepers benefit from relaxation hours and the other sectors have nothing to gain from it.
“No doubt people come out of their homes in relaxation hours and we see markets abuzz. But overall it is not improving our economic situation. That because the shopping is limited and our other sectors like tourism has nothing to gain from it. The situation by and large is not good,” he said.
According to an estimate of Kashmir industrialists and traders, the Valley economy suffered Rs. 120 crore loss everyday due to shutdown or curfew. Going by the estimate, the Valley economy has suffered Rs. 12,360 crore losses so far in the present unrest due to shutdowns and curfews. Although the curfew has been lifted by government, the separatist-sponsored shutdown continued.
Though the markets in Valley remained abuzz during relaxation hours but the transporters of the Kashmir, like tourism, do not benefit from the relaxation period. The public transport has not hit the streets of Srinagar and elsewhere since July 8 and they continue to be off the roads. With shutdowns continuing across Valley, there are least chances of cent percent normalcy returning to Kashmir as of now and as a result the economic losses go up with each passing day.
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