Shut down for college enters 8th day in central Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 31 (UNI) Life remained crippled at Charar-e-Sharief town and adjoining villages in the central Kashmir district of Badgam for the 8th day today as people observed a complete bandh, demanding setting up of a degree college.

Shops and business establishments at Charar-e-Sharief, including around the holy shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, remained closed and traffic was off the road.

Work in government offices and other commercial establishments was also affected due to the strike.

People from different villages again gathered near the holy shrine today to protest against the state governments silence over the issue.

They declared that the strike will continue till their demand was met. The agitators were raising slogans against the government.

Reports of total strike were also received from other adjoining villages, including Nougam, Chadoora and Kandajan, Alamdar colony and Pakherpora. At Chadoora, people blocked the Srinagar-Charar-e- Sharief road and raised slogans against the government, demanding a separate degree college. About half a dozen students also started hunger strike in support for setting up a college at Chadoora.

The agitators alleged that there is no degree college in the entire area and students of about three dozen villages had to travel to Srinagar for studies.

The valley witnessed similar demands from other areas.

However, at Magam, one person was killed and 25 others were injured after police opened fire to disperse violent demonstrators last week.

UNI