Srike against Pope's anti-Islam remarks

Srinagar, Sep 18: Life here was today crippled by a general strike called given by the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) to protest the anti-Islam remarks of the Pope Benedict XVI.

Shops and business establishments in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and other major towns remained closed. Traffic was also off the roads.

The strike affected the work in government offices, courts and other commerical establishments. The educational institutions wore a deserted look in the absence of the students and teaching staff stayed away.

A report from Baramulla said complete shut down was today in this and other towns in the twin border districts of north Kashmir.

The streets wore a deserted look as all shops and business establishments are closed and no vehicular movements.

Similar reports of strike were also received from other districts of the valley.

The valley witnessed (massive protest demonstrations) a day after newspaper reports published the anti-Islam remarks of Pope.

However, the authorities in the valley seized all the copies of three national dailies in which the Pope's statement was published on September 14.

Almost all the political, social, religious, separatist and militant organisations have strongly condemned the Pope for his alleged anti-Islam remarks.

UNI