Ramadan begins amid sombre mood, markets deserted

The usual festivities that mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan in the Kashmir valley were missing today.
Though mosques saw a huge rush of devotees from last night, most of the marketplaces wore a deserted look due to a shutdown call of the separatists and restrictions imposed by the government at several places following yesterday’s killings of Hizb commander Sabzar Bhat that had sparked protests.
Normally, a festive atmosphere prevailed at marketplaces a day before Ramazan, but yesterday people were seen rushing home early, fearing deterioration in law and order situation.
Today, shopping remained confined to the wee hours following which most of the marketplaces remained shut.
While mosques at residential colonies saw a decent number of devotees, attendance at mosques near prime marketplaces remained on the lower side.
“During Ramazan people used to offer prayers on roads here, but today only two floors were full during ‘Zuhr’ (afternoon prayers),” said a caretaker of the Dastgeer Sahib shrine at Sarai Bala.
Locals could not extend Ramazan greetings on social networking sites as mobile internet services were suspended since yesterday.This year, the devotees will be observing fast for around 16 hours each day.