Separatist-sponsored strike disrupts life in Kashmir

Srinagar, April 11

Life in Kashmir was disrupted on Thursday due to a strike called by separatists to protest against polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha election in the Valley and NIA action against Hurriyat Conference leaders and their kin.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutes remained closed due to the strike while attendance in government and private offices was thin, officials said.

Public transport remained off the roads in most parts of the Valley but some private vehicles could be seen plying on the roads in the city, the officials said.

Polling is being held on Thursday for Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency where 13.12 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of nine candidates in the fray.

The officials said the situation across the Valley so far was peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.

Joint resistance leadership, an amalgam of separatist conglomerates, has called for a shutdown.

They said the strike is also to protest against the closure of Kashmir’s main highway for civilians for two days in a week and alleged attack by police and security forces on inmates at Central Jail, Srinagar.

Appealing to people to stay away from the Lok Sabha polls, separatists said a shutdown would be observed in areas which are going to polls in the Valley in subsequent phases of the election. PTI