Kashmir strike affects normal life

Srinagar, Aug 22 (ANI): Normal life across the Kashmir Valley was affected on the second day of a general strike on Saturday.

Separatist organizations called for the strike to protest against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Kashmir.

Shops, business establishments, banks, educational institutions and government and semi-government institutions remained closed.

The effect of the strike was total in Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian Districts.

In his Independence Day address Singh had said the "people of all areas of Jammu and Kashmir have participated vigorously in both assembly and parliamentary elections which is a proof that there is no place for separatist thought in the state."

Objecting to Singh's statement, the hardline Hurriyat faction headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for the two-day strike. (ANI)