Kashmir shut down for 2nd day due to general strike

Srinagar, July 29: Life remained paralysed for the second consecutive day today due a two-day strike call given by breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) in protest against the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam to the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic is also off the roads.

Government offices, banks and other financial institutions remained closed because of the strike called by HC and supported by a number of other separatist and militant organisations.

HC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said the call for a strike against Dr Kalam's visit was issued since he is the supreme commander of the Indian Security Forces.

We have nothing personel against the president Mr Geelani said.

Educational instutitons wore a deserted look as the management of majority schools declared a holiday for two days due to security reasons.

The Kashmir University and State Board of School Education have also cancelled their scheduled examinations for yesterday and today because of the strike.

A report from Baramulla said complete shut down was observed in all major towns in the north Kashmir in support of the 'bandh.' Similar reports were also received from other major towns of the valley.

President, Kalam on the first day of two- day visit addressed a joint session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex on the bank of the famed Dal Lake as the Legislative Assembly Hall could not accommodate all the members from both the sides besides other guests.

He became the second President to address the joint session here after Neelam Sajeeva Reddy.

At Leh, Dr Kalam attended a function and also addressed the gathering in the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre and Degree college besides meeting the children for a question-answer session.

He will also attend a function to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today.

Dr Kalam has visited all the three regions--Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh--in June 2003.

He also visited the border areas of the state following the October 8 devastating earthquake last year.

UNI

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