Empty roads, security forces, constant vigil: An inside look from locked-down Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has been in a lockdown situation since August 5 when Home Minister Amit Shah announced the historic decision of abrogation of Article 370 in the state. Express brings you an inside look of how the restrictions have affected normal life in Kashmir.

A shepherd taking his lambs and goats to station road Srinagar in order to sell them for Bakr-eid. (Picture taken on evening of August 9, three days before Eid-ul-Zuha (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS) 

Security forces keeping a vigil in Srinagar city ahead of Friday prayers on August 9. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

Empty Shikaras in Dal Lake, Srinagar on August 9. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

Security forces keeping a vigil in downtown Srinagar ahead of the Friday prayers on August 9.(Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

A Kashmiri man feeding pigeons outside the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar on August 9 during the lockdown in Kashmir. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

Empty roads in Srinagar as normal life has been on hold due to the lockdown. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

Heaps of garbage piled up in various parts of Srinagar during the lockdown. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

The iconic Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar that otherwise sees large congregations was unusually sparse on the forenoon of August 9, the first Friday since reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)

75-year-old Mushtaq said he walked more than 5 kilometers along with his four-year-old grandson to reach Hazratabal shrine from Bhatkura village in order to offer Friday prayers. Mushtaq, an auto driver, says he reached the shrine after much difficulty and after being stopped by multiple security personnel despite not driving his vehicle. (Photo | Sana Shakil, EPS)