Life crippled in Kashmir due to strike against killings, restrictions

Srinagar, Jul 21:  Life was crippled in restriction-free areas in Kashmir due to a day-long strike called by separatists today against civilian killings and frequent restrictions and curfew in the Valley. Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and areas falling under three police stations in the old city and civil lines since early this morning as a precautionary measure. Class work, which resumed after 10-day-long summer vacation on Monday, was suspended in all educational institutions in the Valley, where train service has also been suspended as a precautionary measure. Shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the road in civil lines and uptown Srinagar though few private vehicles, besides cabs and three-wheelers could be seen plying on some routes in restriction-free areas. Business and other activities remained crippled in main business hubs of the city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve-centre of summer capital, Budshah Chowk, Regal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Batmaloo, Moulana Azad Road and Residency Road. A report from Baramulla said life was crippled in this and other north Kashmir towns and tehsil headquarters. Additional security forces have been deployed in the entire north Kashmir to prevent any law and order problem. Life also came to a grinding halt in Budgam and Anantnag. Meanwhile, security has been stepped up along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway to prevent any protests. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, spearheading the agitation, demanding right to self determination, have called for strike and UNMO office challo to organise a sit-in after Friday prayers. UNI