Strike by Separatists hits normal life in Kashmir

Normal life was hit on Tuesday in Kashmir Valley as separatist groups called for a strike to protest against the alleged harassment of Kashmiri students outside the state.

While the shops, businesses, petrol pumps and educational institutions remained closed in the capital Srinagar, attendance in banks and government offices was thin.

Though private cars, cabs and auto rickshaws were operating, public transport was off the roads.

Reports suggest the shutdown had similar effect in other districts of Kashmir valley.

Separatist groups such as Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and both factions of the Hurriyat Conference called for a strike to protest alleged beating, harassment and intimidation of local students in unversities and colleges outside the state.

The JKLF staged a protest march at the University of Kashmir on Monday, according to GreaterKashmir.com.

In past few weeks there were reports that Kashmiri students have been harassed over the Bharat Mata ki Jai slogan.