Geelani calls for 50-hour shutdown as an anti-polls protest

Srinagar, Apr 29 (ANI): Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), the hardline faction of separatists in Kashmir, gave a call for a 50-hour shutdown to protest against the polls to the Lok Sabha in the valley.

Geelani had already called for a boycott of these elections being held during April-May.

Heavy security deployment dotted roads on Srinagar with shops remaining closed and low turnout people seen in the open.

"They have called for a 50 hours shutdown, that is on 29 and 30. Curfew is there right from the morning. Police is there everywhere and nobody is allowed to move around," said Ghulam Hassan, a resident.

The shutdown has affected the normal life.

"This shutdown call has been given by Geelani to protest against the polls in the state. The residents who have to travel a lot to distance places are suffering a lot," said Shabir Ahmad, another resident.

The moderate factions of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had decided not to support the boycott.

The pressure from the United Jehad Council based in Pakistan made the moderate faction to participate in the shutdown call.

Besides the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) are also contesting in the elections. (ANI)