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Complete shutdown in Kashmir Valley

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Valley on Saturday observed a complete shutdown in protest against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the State. The call for the strike was given by the Hurriyat-sponsored Co-ordination Committee.

Shops, business establishments, banks, government offices and educational institutions remained closed. Transport was off the roads and only police and paramilitary forces were seen on the streets.

Reports from major towns suggested that the strike was complete.

At many places people took to the streets protesting against the killing of two youths in Srinagar downtown on Friday. The Central Reserve Police Force had opened fire on demonstrators in the Nowhatta area when they were protesting against Dr. Singh’s visit to the Valley and shouting anti-India slogans.

The authorities on Saturday imposed “undeclared curfew” in the areas under the Nowhatta, Safakadal, Khanyar and Karan Nagar police stations and restricted the movement of the people. “Not a single person was allowed to move out and it is curfew here,” a resident told The Hindu over telephone from Nowhatta.

However, the police denied that curfew was imposed but said Section 144 had been enforced strictly to prevent assembly of more than five people. A police spokesman said the situation remained peaceful throughout the day.

Hurriyat’s stand

Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference has rejected the Prime Minister’s offer of talks and said Kashmir “cannot be bought by trains and developmental projects.”

“The development has nothing to do with the aspirations of the people,” said a Hurriyat spokesman.

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