Life remained paralysed for the 69th day on Saturday in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting against scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A, besides dividing the state into two Union Territories on August 5.

However, shops and other business establishments were functioning are usual for about three hours from 0630 hrs to 0930 hrs before shutting down again for the day in Srinagar, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city today.

Meanwhile, train service between Baramulla in north Kashmirto Banihal in Jammu region through central and south Kashmir remained suspendedsince August 5. Communication network, including mobile and internet service ofall Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) alsoremained suspended for the past 68 days.

Though there is no curfew restriction in any part of thevalley, security forces remained on alert to thwart any attempt to disrupt thepeace.  However, restrictions underSection 144 CrPC, banning assemble of four or more persons, continued as aprecautionary measure to maintain law and order.

All gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of moderateHurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, remained closedfor devotees since August 5.  Mirwaiz isunder house arrest since August 4 night. No prayers, including on Friday couldbe offered in the worship place due to restrictions. No Friday prayers werealso offered in Jamia masjid in Shopian in south Kashmir due to restrictions.

Normal business was resumed in different markets of thesummer capital, Srinagar this morning from 0630 hrs till 0930 hrs. Later,everything came to halt and these areas again presented a deserted look withonly CPMF personnel guarding the streets.

Public transport, including State Road Transport Corporation(SRTC) remained off the roads . However, private vehicles were plying on theroads.

Life, elsewhere in the valley, remained paralysed with allshops and business establishments closed and traffic off the roads on Saturday.

Shutdown also continued in south Kashmir districts ofAnantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Awantipora, Tral and Kulgam. Business and otheractivities remained shut and public transport off the roads.

Shutdown continued for the 69th day in this and other northKashmir districts and tehsil headquarters, a report from Baramulla said. Largenumber of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) personnel remained deployed toprevent any law and order problem. However, private vehicles and some cabscould be seen plying on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. Reports of continuedstrike since August 5 were also received from central Kashmir districts ofBudgam and Ganderbal.