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.
Â
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.
Â
They said public transport was off the roads, while private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying normally.
Â
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.
Â
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".
Â
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.
Â
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik was arrested by police from his Abi Guzar office yesterday.
Â