General strike against VAT in Ladakh

Srinagar, Mar 30: Life in the Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir remained was paralysed due to general strike in protest against the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT).

Shops and business establishments in Leh and Kargil towns remained closed and traffic also remained off the roads, reports reaching here today said.

The general strike call was given by joint action committee of traders in protest against the VAT.

Work in government offices was also affected as most employees could not make it to their offices due to non availablity of transport. However, vehicles of health, water works and electricity departments were exempted from the strike call.

Reports said complete strike was also observed at Drass, Panisar, Zanaskar, Sankoo, Khalsee, Nyuma and Nobra in protest against the VAT.

However, the strike was by and large peaceful with no report of any major untoward incident, the reports said.

UNI