Complete shut down cripples life in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 8: Life was crippled in the summer capital and other major towns of the Kashmir valley due to general strike called by the Coordination Committee (CC), spearheading the present agitation.

The strike was so far peaceful with no report of any major incident from any part of the valley.

All streets wore a deserted look as all shops and business establishments remained closed with only Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police personnel, holding automatic weapons, lathies and shields, deployed in strength.

Traffic on all city and district routes was off the roads.

Work in government offices, banks and other public undertakings was affected for the third day today after employees stayed away from work in response to the CC call.

The CC, an alliance of different separatist, social, religious and trade organisations, including both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) has called for strike to protest against all party meeting called by the Election Commission of India in New Delhi to decide about Assembly Elections in the state. Besides, to protest against the security forces excess and killing of a youth in Nowhatta on Friday.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) have also opposed holding elections in near future because of prevailing situation in the valley.

The educational institutions also wore a deserted look as students and teaching staff stayed away. The institutions last functioned on Friday as there was strike on Saturday.

A report from Baramulla said that complete shut down was observed in all major towns and tehsils headquarters in the north Kashmir.

Traffic was off the roads and government offices remained closed.

Similar reports were also received from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Badgam, Ganderbal and other districts of the valley.

UNI