The usual rush was missing at market places in the valley on Sunday after authorities sounded a high alert following intelligence inputs that militants were planning a "major strike" ahead of the Republic Day.
The hussle and bustle in the weekly on Sunday market in Srinagar, which usually does a brisk business, was missing as people avoided the place in view of stringent security arrangements.
Police assisted by CRPF have been deployed in strength throughout the city, particularly in and around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of Republic day function, to thwart any attempt by militants.
"The scene is different today. The number of customers has dropped considerably...it is because of the tension as nobody wants to be a witness to any violent act," Farooq Ahmad, a makeshift stall owner said.
He said many of the stall owners have not put up their stalls fearing a crackdown or a militant strike.
"We faced a lot of problem since morning as police and CRPF intercepted us at a number of places and thoroughly checked our goods," another stall owner Feroz said.
The other markets in the city also witnessed less movement. "We decided not to venture out to avoid unnecessary trouble on the pretext of security," said a government employee Shabir Ahmad.
{{/usCountry}}The other markets in the city also witnessed less movement. "We decided not to venture out to avoid unnecessary trouble on the pretext of security," said a government employee Shabir Ahmad.
{{/usCountry}}Security forces were keeping a vigil and carrying out extensive checking drives, a police official said.