Separatist shutdown, restrictions affect Srinagar

Srinagar, October 22

Life across the Kashmir Valley was adversely affected on Monday by a separatist-called shutdown against six civilian deaths in an explosion in Kulgam district a day ago.

With authorities also imposing restrictions in Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Maisuma and MR Gunj, shops, public transport, businesses and educational institutes remained closed.

Only a skeletal stream of private vehicles was seen on city roads.

Kashmir University and the Board of School Education in the state have postponed the exams scheduled for Monday.

Train services have been suspended between Baramulla and Banihal towns.

Six civilians were killed and around 40 others injured when a blast ripped through a gunfight site at Laroo village on Sunday.

Security forces had killed three Kashmiri militants in Laroo. It was immediately followed by a civilian protest. Just as a large crowd gathered at the encounter site a massive explosion occurred.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), the conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik, called for the Valley-wide protest. 

Heavy police and Central Reserve Police Force deployments were made in all sensitive areas, as well as those placed under restrictions. IANS