Strike in Kashmir over settlement of Pandits

Normal life was today disrupted in Kashmir Valley due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest against the "proposed plans" to establish Sainik Colony, settlements for migrant Kashmiri Pandits and induction of new industrial policy in the state.

Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut in Srinagar – the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir – while government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally.

Private schools also remained closed due to the strike, the officials said. They said reports of a shutdown were received from other districts of the Valley as well.

Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF, on Monday, had jointly called for a shutdown for today against the "proposed plans of creation of the separate clusters for the Pandits, establishing of Sainik colonies, induction of new anti-Kashmir industrial policy and the attempts of demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir".

While the chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conferences Syed Ali Shah Geelani continued to be under house arrest, moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was put under house detention yesterday.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik was arrested by police from his Abi Guzar office yesterday.