The communication blackout and shutdown imposed after the abrogation of Article 370 has entered 67th day in Indian occupied Kashmir.
With no mobiles and internet services, it is the worst communications lockdown the Valley has seen in decades. And it has taken a toll of the Valley’s economy.
Scores of people risk losing their jobs as IT-related firms are at the verge of shutting down permanently.
Kashmir’s biggest software park in Rangret area, which houses majority IT-related companies in the state, wears a deserted look.
BPOs functioning from Kashmir have taken a big hit. Aegis is one of the biggest BPOs at Rangret. The campus is shut. A security guard posted outside said all the 150 employees were asked to stay home as there was no work
On the other hand, Its walnut season in the occupied valley but the on going lockdown in the disputed region has made it impossible for farmers to sell them on markets.
According to the officials, most of the walnuts sold in India comes from villages of Kashmir valley and thousands of people are directly or indirectly part of this business and are extremely worried.
This is the alarming situation for all the farmers here, whether they are apple or walnut growers. They are in a grim position. They could be at risk of bankruptcy, because they loan from finance companies and invest it in big grain business.
PHOTO BY BILAL BAHADUR
During this three months harvesting period walnuts are sold to the domestic and international markets. However this year, due to the blockade outside merchants have not been able to come to the valley and Kashmir produce hasn’t been able to reach the markets.
The tourism season in the Valley was completely ruined this year as the government issued an advisory asking visitors to leave just before the abrogation of Article 370 was announced.
However, the restrictions imposed on tourists intending to visit the Kashmir Valley will be lifted today following a direction from Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday.
