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Kashmir Shuts Down on India's Independence Day

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 15: The restive Kashmir observed complete shutdown on August 15, the independence day of India.

All shops, business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads. Only the police, paramilitary and army soldiers and their vehicles were moving on the otherwise busy roads.

On account of the holiday, all educational institutions, government offices and banks remained closed.

All the roads in Srinagar and other parts of Valley were presenting a deserted look as people preferred to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, hundreds of youth visited the tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places in Kashmir on Saturday to stay away from the tense atmosphere.

All the hotels, guest houses and hut were booked in all the tourist resort of Kashmir. "This was for the first time after two decades that we have 100 per cent booking on August 14 and 15," manager of one of the hotel in Pahalgam said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.