31 March 2011
SOHAR -- Exactly 33 days after the first incident happened in Sohar tailing a whole saga of unpleasant episodes along, the industrial artery of the Sultanate is breathing fresh air with rejuvenated enthusiasm and has begun living a new lease of life as the city is well placed under control of the military and the Royal Oman Police.
The roadblocks erected by people pressing for various demands at the two roundabouts, mainly at the landmark Globe Roundabout in the industrial city has been removed by the army, according to the Oman News Agency.
The military has also asked people gathered around the spot to protest peacefully and not hinder traffic on the roads or damage properties.
Travelling through the Globe Roundabout, where the protesters used to camp, has been made smoother and movements in and out of the city has become hassle-free. Several trucks which used to ply to and forth with merchandise on both directions resumed after clouds of fear were removed and life returned to normal.
Shops, banks, supermarkets, petrol pumps, restaurants and other commercial outlets reported brisk business while offices and other government wings reported full attendance.
The restraint and tolerance that the defence authorities have adopted in dealing with the situation has been highly praised by the local and foreign media alike.
"The authorities including the ROP dealt with the situation very wisely and in an exemplary way. They were highly restraint and that helped in bringing the situation under control," said Nasser Abdullah al Riyami, Assistant Attorney General and Director of Regional and International Co-operation Administration, Public Prosecution.
In just one month, a number of decrees have been issued favouring the people and granting most of their legitimate demands.
Few people went on with vandalism and violent protests without any concern to the society. All the calls from authorities for tolerance, talks and restraint fell on deaf ears and now they will be dealt with as per the law and the real culprits will be punished.
"The dark days of uncertainty are gone and brighter days are in. Everything is coming back to normal. I've never come across such incidents in Oman in my life. Now that everything is over, let's not repeat the same savage acts again, at least for the sake of future generations," Ahmed al Balushi, a resident of Sohar, said.
"We were all under fear and didn't go out and often rumours were spreading like wild fire," said a marketing executive with a soft drinks company, adding "the market is feeling rejuvenated and the business is normal now.
SOHAR -- Exactly 33 days after the first incident happened in Sohar tailing a whole saga of unpleasant episodes along, the industrial artery of the Sultanate is breathing fresh air with rejuvenated enthusiasm and has begun living a new lease of life as the city is well placed under control of the military and the Royal Oman Police.
The roadblocks erected by people pressing for various demands at the two roundabouts, mainly at the landmark Globe Roundabout in the industrial city has been removed by the army, according to the Oman News Agency.
The military has also asked people gathered around the spot to protest peacefully and not hinder traffic on the roads or damage properties.
Travelling through the Globe Roundabout, where the protesters used to camp, has been made smoother and movements in and out of the city has become hassle-free. Several trucks which used to ply to and forth with merchandise on both directions resumed after clouds of fear were removed and life returned to normal.
Shops, banks, supermarkets, petrol pumps, restaurants and other commercial outlets reported brisk business while offices and other government wings reported full attendance.
The restraint and tolerance that the defence authorities have adopted in dealing with the situation has been highly praised by the local and foreign media alike.
"The authorities including the ROP dealt with the situation very wisely and in an exemplary way. They were highly restraint and that helped in bringing the situation under control," said Nasser Abdullah al Riyami, Assistant Attorney General and Director of Regional and International Co-operation Administration, Public Prosecution.
In just one month, a number of decrees have been issued favouring the people and granting most of their legitimate demands.
Few people went on with vandalism and violent protests without any concern to the society. All the calls from authorities for tolerance, talks and restraint fell on deaf ears and now they will be dealt with as per the law and the real culprits will be punished.
"The dark days of uncertainty are gone and brighter days are in. Everything is coming back to normal. I've never come across such incidents in Oman in my life. Now that everything is over, let's not repeat the same savage acts again, at least for the sake of future generations," Ahmed al Balushi, a resident of Sohar, said.
"We were all under fear and didn't go out and often rumours were spreading like wild fire," said a marketing executive with a soft drinks company, adding "the market is feeling rejuvenated and the business is normal now.
© Oman Daily Observer 2011
