Day-7, life remains crippled due to spontaneous strike in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 30 (UNI) Life remained crippled in the summer capital and other major towns in the Kashmir Valley for the seventh day today due to the spontaneous strike in protest against the transfer of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) by the government.

Though the SASB chairman, Governor N N Vohra, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informing him that the SASB did not require the forest land for yatris, the Action Committee Against Land Transfer (ACALT), heading the agitation said it will continue protests till the order is revoked by the state Cabinet.

Rejecting the fresh government-SASB understanding on the land issue, people in the Kashmir Valley continued spontaneous strike on the seventh day today.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads.

Government offices, banks, public undertaking offices and other commercial establishments wore a deserted look as employees stayed away.

Petol pumps, government ration depots and other essential services also remained closed. However, a number of Water Works vehicles with fresh drinking water were seen distributing water to local residents in some uptown and downtown areas.

As there was no restrictions on the pedestrian movement by security forces, witnessed yesterday, a large number of people could be seen on city routes. Yesterday security forces were asking people to remain indoors in most parts of the city. A good number of scooters, motorcycles and other private vehicles were seen plying in the city.

However, at Natipora, a group of people pelted stones on passing private vehicles and forced closure of shops.

All examinations of Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education and Kashmir University besides interviews scheduled for today and tomorrow have been postponed.

A report from Anantnag said life remained crippled in the entire south Kashmir due to strike.

A report from Baramulla said complete strike was observed in the town with deserted street. However, security forces remained deployed in strength.

Total strike was also observed in Sopore, Handwara, Kupwara, Pattan and other major towns in north Kashmir.

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