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Shutdown paralyses life in Kashmir

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 8/13/2017 9:43:42 AM

SRINAGAR, Aug 12: Normal life was paralysed in Kashmir Valley due to a general strike called against the moves to abrogate Article 35-A, which confers special rights on J&K’s permanent residents.
The call for the strike was given by joint separatist leadership of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik.
Reports of complete shutdown poured in from all the districts of Central, North and South Kashmir. All the shops and business establishments’ remained shut while educational institutions also remained closed. Majority of the government offices were deserted, and there was a bank holiday on Saturday.
Undeclared restrictions were imposed in restive parts of old Srinagar city. Heavy contingent of Para-military troopers had been deployed in downtown Srinagar to stop possible protests.
Reports said that some parts of civil lines areas including Jawahar Nagar and Raj Bagh where shopkeepers usually observe partial shutdown also witnessed complete shutdown. The roads wore a deserted look in most parts of Srinagar city.
A complete shutdown was also observed in Budgam and Ganderbal districts of Central Kashmir where shops and educational institutions remained completely shut.
The shutdown completely disrupted normal life in four districts of South Kashmir including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. Same reports poured in from North Kashmir’s districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara. The main roads of these district headquarters wore a deserted look.
Complete shutdown was also observed in important town of Kashmir Valley including Pampore, Tral, Kakapora, Awantipora, Bijbehara, Qazigund, Dooru, Pahalgam, Kangan, Pakharpora, Charar-e-Sharif, Sumbal, Hajin, Ajas, Safapora, Pattan, Tangmarg, Rafiabad and Sopore.
Shutdown was also observed in Chenab Valley of Jammu region, where Anjuman Islamia Bhaderwah, Markazi Seerat Committee Doda, Anjuman Islamia Gandoh, Masjid Committee Thathri and Majlis-e-Shoura Kishtwar had issued a bandh call.
Reports said that Doda, Gandoh and Thathri also observed complete shutdown on the bandh call.