Shutdown ends, life limps to normalcy in Pulwama

The Auqaf Committee and Traders Federation today decided to call off the shutdown in Pulwama after the administration assured them that all detained youths would be released and no FIR lodged against them.
In a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the administration assured the members that all persons put under detention would be released, but no martyrs’ memorial hoarding would be installed at Shaheed Park till further orders.
Pulwama head priest Mohammad Akram Dar conveyed the decision to the locals via the loudspeaker of the Chatapora mosque. “Open the market and all detained youths will be freed immediately,” he said. He did not mention whether or not the memorial hoarding would be installed.
Sources said the administration remained adamant on not allowing a hoarding at the martyrs’ memorial graveyard and releasing the youths only after the market opened.
Shopkeepers and hawkers heaved a sigh of relief and showed happiness with the decision as they had suffered for the last 15 days.
Confirming the agreement between the administration, the police, Auqaf Committee and Traders Federation, the police said they had started the process of releasing the detained youths.
“All youths detained after the martyrs’ memorial board controversy broke out will be released. The process was started after the Traders Federation and Auqaf Committee agreed to open shops,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Tejinder Singh. He added that most of them would be released late in the evening.
Members of the Auqaf Committee and Traders Federation met the Divisional Commissioner on Wednesday. He assured them that a plaque would be installed at the martyrs’ graveyard with alterations in design and inscriptions, but backtracked later.
Life was paralysed in Pulwama for 15 days as some persons demanded installation of a martyrs’ memorial board at Shaheed Park.