A shutdown is being observed in Kashmir valley on Tuesday over “growing incidents of attacks on Kashmiri students” in the wake of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) controversy in Srinagar, affecting the normal life.
Most shops, schools, colleges, petrol pumps and private offices were closed. Major business centres like Lal Chowk, Kara Nagar and Hari Singh High Street also witnessed a complete shutdown.
There was thin traffic on the roads. Movement of public transport was affected. However, private vehicles were plying freely.
The strike call was issued by separatist leaders, including JKLF chief Yasin Malik, Hurriyat factions’ chairmen Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani. The authorities have placed most separatists under house arrest. Mr. Malik, who was detained a day ago despite suffering from fever, was lodged at a Srinagar police station.
“These attacks by the government-backed Hindu nationalists on Kashmiri students have alarmed the Kashmiri nation. If these attacks are not stopped immediately, Kashmiris will have no choice but to launch a full- fledged protest against it,” warned Mr. Malik.
Several students studying in Rajasthan, Jammu and Punjab have complained of harassment and attacks in the wake of NIT crisis, where outstation students clashed with local students and police.
Separatists, however, have stayed away from the NIT campus and described the ongoing agitation “a conspiracy”. Separatist Geelani and the Mirwaiz have asked people to ensure safety and security of all outstation students in J & K.
The outstation students were protesting against the locals attempt to celebrate West Indies’ win over India in a cricket match on March 1. Several students were injured when they clashed with the police on April 5, triggering a wave of support from several political parties and students across the country.
