Business, other activities paralysed in Kashmir due to strike

Srinagar, Aug 2: Business and other activities came to halt in the Kashmir valley, where separatists had called for general strike today in protest against the death of two civilians in security force firing on demonstrators at Pulwama, where two Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), including wanted Pakistan resident commander Abu Dujana, were killed in an encounter. Though authorities had announced imposition of Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC in the areas under the jurisdiction of seven police stations, additional security forces and state police personnel had been deployed across the Kashmir valley to prevent any law and order problem. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation, demanding right to self determination, have called for a general strike against the civilian killing and injuries yesterday. Shops and business establishments remained closed in the main business hubs in the restriction-free areas in Srinagar and its outskirts, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city and nearby Budshah Chowk. Traffic was also off the roads though some private vehicles besides three-wheelers and cabs could be seen plying on several routes, including uptown, where business and other activities also remained shut. Reports of complete shut down were also received from main town and other tehsil headquarters in south Kashmir, where business activities remained closed since yesterday immediately after reports about the militant killing were received. Streets almost wore a deserted look with only security force and state police personnel remained deployed to maintain law and order. However, the report said that there were clashes between demonstrators and security forces Gabarpora Pulwama after the burial of civilian Akeel who succumbed to his injuries in a hospital this morning. A report from Baramulla said that strike crippled life in this and other major towns and tehsil headquarters in north Kashmir with shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic off the roads. Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir district of Badgam and Ganderbal. Rail service in the Kashmir valley has been suspended for security reasons while educational institutions were closed by the authorities as a precautionary measure. UNI