Ground report: Prohibitory orders bring life to a standstill in Jammu

As Parliament on Tuesday stripped Article 370 of its powers and approved the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, life in the Valley has come to a standstill.

The imposition of prohibitory orders in Jammu has thrown life out of gear.

The public transport system has been hit hard as neither a private nor state transport buses are plying on the roads. Autorickshaws, taxis, ane even mini buses --which are often called the lifeline of Jammu and nearby towns have also not been allowed to ply.

People on their way to Kashmir and the neighbouring states have been stranded.

A sizeable chunk of pilgrims, including 200 sadhus who could not complete their pilgrimage, are stuck in Jammu. Sadhus have taken refuse in the dharamshala of Ram Temple located in the Purani Mandi area.

Most of them had gone to take part in the Amarnath Yatra but were forced to return from Chandanwadi.

Some of the sadhus staying here are not in a position to walk as they are tired. Some are unwell and some are very old.

"Nearly 200 sadhus are currently staying in the temple dharamshala as there are no buses and auto rickshaws. Some want to go to the doctor but the clinics are shut, shops have also not opened from the past two days. People are not able to go out to buy groceries as most shops are shut" says Mahant Radheshyam, priest of the Ram Temple.

Not only markets but the temples of Jammu also bear a deserted look as the police has barricaded paths and link roads leading to residential areas. As a result, hotels and business owners have incurred the losses.

Life has come to a standstill in various pockets of Jammu city following the imposition of prohibitory orders. The tourists and pilgrims have been asked to go back.

Restaurants, bars, coffee shops and other commercial establishments including showrooms and shops remain shut two days after Section 144 (unlawful assembly) was imposed by the local administration as a precautionary measure.

People have been forced to remain indoors following the prohibitory orders. The shutdown of grocery shops has made it difficult to get items of daily use such as bread, butter and milk.

Garbage dumps dot the city at various places as the municipal authorities have failed to clean the city following the restrictions.

The worst affected are the pavement sellers as there are no buyers.

Hoteliers believe that tension in Kashmir Valley will cost the industry dearly. Advisories being issued by various foreign countries as well as the Centre will also keep the tourists away from the Valley.

However, the local business owners believe that the shutdown is temporary and the life will return to normalcy after Section 144 is lifted.

"Yes, we are losing business but the happiness given by the revoking of Article 370 will mitigate the loss," says a Jammu businessman Shatrujeet.

Another businessman Kamal Kishore said people were cooperating with the local authorities to maintain law and order by closing their shops.