Kashmir observes shutdown

Situation remained normal, 6 ‘stone pelters’ surrendered at Hajin: Police

Srinagar: The normal life remained crippled as the valley on Thursday observed shutdown against ‘detention and arrests’ of youth and pro-freedom leaders on a strike call extended by Hurriyat Conference (G).

The shops and other business establishments remained closed and the public transport remained off the roads. However, the private vehicles were seen plying across the valley. While extending strike call, Syed Ali Geelani, chairman Hurriyat (G)  had, warned government that ‘if raids, arrests and atrocities doesn’t stop till 13 May, his faction of Hurriyat Conference will issue a ‘protest programme’.

Reports reaching KNS said that shops and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and adjoining areas. The strike affected the normal business  in other parts of the valley especially in North and South Kashmir.  The schools and colleges were also shut. In civil lines and uptown areas of Srinagar, the shutdown call evoked mixed response. The government offices and banks recorded thin attendance but functioned normally. Authorities had kept additional police and paramilitary forces ready to tackle any eventuality.

Meanwhile, the police said the situation by and large remained normal. “Six stone pelters evading arrests have surrendered at police station Hajin. Six stone pelters who are involved in recent cases of violence and stone pelting and were evading arrest surrendered today at police station Hajin. The stone pelters who surrendered today include Manzoor Ahmad Dar son of Sonaullah Dar, Ghulam Jeelani Dar son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar, Mumtaz Ahmad Dar son of Farooq Ahmad Dar, Abdul Hamid Rather son of Sonaullah Rather, Showkat Ahmad Khan son of Mohammad Yousuf Khan and Azhar-ud-din Dar son of Mohammad Akbar residents of Shah Gund, Hajin. Police has started a large scale manhunt for the stone pelters and other perpetrators of violence in the area,” reads a police statement issued to KNS.  (KNS)