Strikes and shutdowns affect life in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb.20 (ANI): The call for shutdowns and strikes have affected the daily life and local business establishments in Jammu and Kashmir region.

On Saturday, a general strike was called by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to protest against alleged human rights abuses by security forces.

Shops and other business establishments here remained closed on Saturday in response to the strike call. The streets in Srinagar were almost deserted.

"The shutdown call brings huge losses to the business fraternity of Srinagar, as they lose millions of rupees...since the shutdown doesn't meant for a single day rather it lasts for five days to several weeks...it also provides huge losses to traders from other districts who came to the city to sell or buy goods," said Bashir Naaz, a local resident.

Authorities in the past have denied human rights violations in Kashmir and say they probe all such reports and punish the guilty. (ANI)