Srinagar, July 25: As markets opened on Sunday after a seven day running bandh and intermittent curfew, the summer capital witnessed a phenomenal surge of life in the streets and markets.
 People were seen purchasing mostly eatables and essential commodities. “It’s only 11:30 AM and over a hundred customers have visited us. The demand is mostly to food items,” said Manzoor Ahmad, cashier at Pick-n-Choose Supermarket at Residency Road, here.
 Despite that it was Sunday, many private and cooperative banks remained open all through the day for public. Likewise ATM kiosks, medical stores, ration depots, petrol pumps, recharge kiosks and vegetable sellers across the city witnessed a huge customer rush.
 Meanwhile, many shops and provision stores were busy replenishing their stocks. “I am too busy to talk right now,” responded Muhammad Muzaffar at Subhana and Sons.
  “Many food items and FMCG products had exhausted at this store, which, however, we have replenished today,” said Manzoor Ahmad.
 Sunday market was again in its bloom, whereas footpath vendors had put up their wares which at many places were causing hindrance in the commuter movement.
 “We are here after several days. We have suffered a lot due to back-to-back shutdowns and are literally struggling to make a livelihood,” said Fayaz Ahmad of Guchool Mohalla, selling shoes at a footpath at Residency Road.
 However, most of the shopkeepers maintained that the customer rush was not as good as that of last Saturday when markets were opened till 2 PM.
 “Today the customer rush is not that high as was on last Saturday, since many people at present are running short of money. In fact most of the people at present are trying to spare their money for essentials only,” said Parvez Ahmad at Hollywood Bakery and Confectionery here at Regal Chowk.
  “We have not received as many customers today as we had expected,” seconded Rouf Mir, proprietor, Subhana departmental Store.
  “I had purchased most of the main food items last Saturday itself, like flour, rice, pulses, sugar, ghee and dry milk. Today I am looking for some other essential items,” said Javaid Ahmad Bhat, a shopper. 
 Meanwhile, a section of society complained that they were facing hardships in arranging money to buy even essentials. “Where from shall we arrange money for shopping, when we don’t make any earnings whatsoever for rest of the days?” asked Mushtaq Ahmad Baig of Nawab Bazaar.
 “20 per cent of the population here is living hand to mouth. So it really makes no sense to announce a shopping day in the long calendar of shutdowns, protests and sit-ins,” he added.
 Though non-essential items did not have many takers, some garments showrooms, however, were seen doing some business.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST