Shutdown Affects Life in Kashmir amid Vice-President’s Visit
Life in Kashmir valley was affected on Saturday amid a fresh shutdown call by separatists over Shopian women’s mysterious death and murder, even as Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived to preside over the convocation of Kashmir University.
On Friday, officials imposed restrictions to thwart a march by separatists to Baramulla town. Syed Ali Geelani, hardline separatist leader, had called the march against murder and rape of two Shopian women allegedly by security forces last month.
In view of vice president’s visit, security has been beefed up across the state. Contingents of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in strength to maintain law and order in the state capital.
With roads leading to university sealed off, only those vehicles belonging to officials and those holding invitations to the function are being allowed.
Public transport, markets, educational institutions and banks are closed in the city and attendance in the government offices also remained thin because of non-availability of transport.
Reports reaching here from other major cities and towns of the Valley indicated the shutdown had adversely affected normal life there as well.
Meanwhile, authorities here denied Geelani had been shifted to the Srinagar central jail after his arrest a fortnight back.
“He has been lodged in Cheshmashahi area of the city and has not been shifted to the central jail,” a senior police official said.
