Strike is an injustice to common people: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, July 2 (ANI): As the strike call given by the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference continued for the third consecutive day in Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed it a grave injustice to the common people whose earnings have been seriously affected.

"The strike does not affect my earnings, it affects the poor people who earn in these two to three months and can use it for the rest of the year, be it houseboat owners, taxi drivers. It is pure injustice for these people," Abdullah said.

"The people who call for strikes should understand this. If they want to punish the government they should look for other ways to do so. They are punishing common Kashmiris, which I believe is grave injustice," he added.

Because of the strike during the tourist season, daily wage earners like labourers, taxi drivers, houseboat owners and shopkeepers are suffering the most.

"It is the labour class that is suffering. For employees, they take their salary by the end of the month, but it is the labourers who suffer," said Reyaz Ahmad, a resident.

The strike was called against the killing of two civilians when police opened fire to quell protests in Baramulla district on Monday.

The protests erupted over the alleged misbehavior of policeman with a woman. (ANI)