Kashmir shutdown: Separatists' call for strike disrupts life in Valley; shops closed, public transport off roads

Srinagar: Authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the wake of a strike called by separatists. Restrictions under Section 144 CrPc have been imposed in five police station areas of the city, a police official said. [caption id=“attachment_4713941” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of separatist leaders Yasin Malik, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. AFP[/caption] He said restrictions were imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safakadal. The official said the action was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the strike call. Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), on Saturday called for a shutdown in the valley on Sunday against the crackdown on separatists. The strike affected normal life across the Kashmir valley. Shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar, officials said. They said public transport was off the roads, but some private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in some areas of the city. The weekly flea market was also shut as no stalls were put on the TRC Crossing-Batamaloo axis through city centre Lal Chowk, the officials said. They said similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the valley.