Normal life affected in Kashmir due to strike

Srinagar, Jul 25 :  Normal life was affected as shop and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Kashmir valley due to day-long strike called by separatists today against detention of seven of its leaders by National Investigation Agency in connection with ''terror funding''. Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed since early this morning in the area falling under the jurisdictions of police stations Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal in the Valley and downtown Srinagar as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident. Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front had called for a strike today in protest against the detention of seven separatists, including hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah by NIA. Work in all educational institutions was also hit in the wake off the protest, where train service has also been suspended as a precautionary measure. Shops and business establishments were closed in the restriction free areas though good number of vehicles, particularly three-wheelers and cabs, were plying on the road in civil lines and uptown Srinagar. Work in government offices and banks was also affected. Business and other activities were crippled in main business hubs of the city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve-centre of summer capital, Budshah Chowk, Regal Chowk, Maisuma, Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Batmaloo, Moulana Azad Road, Residency Road and Dalgate. Additional security forces were seen patrolling the streets in restriction-free areas to prevent any untoward incident. A report from Anantnag said life was crippled in this and other south Kashmir towns and tehsil headquarters, where shops were closed and traffic was off the road in support of the cause. Security has been stepped up along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway to prevent any protests. North Kashmir witnessed partial impact as some shops were open and good number of private vehicles and cabs were plying on roads. Life was also affected in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal in support of the strike called by separatists. Agencies