Kashmir shuts on JRL’s call on R-day eve

70th R-day functions conclude peacefully

Srinagar, Jan 26 : A complete shutdown was on Saturday observed across the Valley following a call given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) while as barricades were erected on roads in Srinagar areas.
The JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had appealed people to observe this day as ‘black day’.
All the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and others remained closed while as the traffic was also off the roads throughout the day.
The commercial hub Lal Chowk and others roads in Srinagar and other districts wore a deserted look today as both private as well passenger vehicular movement remained off the roads throughout the day.
Witnesses said roads leading to the venue where Republic Day function was held were sealed with large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed on the roads to ensure smooth celebrations today.
Earlier, the traffic police City Srinagar had informed that general public that traffic movement will remain suspended on several road stretches as security reasons.
All the entry and exit points were under close security vigil while some important roads are also suspended for vehicular movement from Saturday morning till afternoon.
The City Traffic Police had said that due to security reasons the traffic movement from Sonawar upto Ram Munshi Bagh Road stretch including Dalgate-Ram Munshi Bagh, Radio Kashmir-Ram Munshi Bagh & Gupkar-Ram Munshi Bagh will remain suspended on 24th and 26th of January-2019 from early morning hours upto 1400 hours.
The motorists intending to travel from South Kashmir-Pantha Chowk towards City Centre shall adopt Bypass road stretch and vice versa. Similarly the motorists intending to travel South Kashmir from City Centre and Down Town areas shall adopt Batamaloo-Tengpora-Bypass or Rambagh-Natipora road stretch to reach Pantha Chowk. Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted.
A top police official had told KNS that adequate security arrangements were made to ensure peaceful celebrations today.
However, unlike previous years, the mobile connectivity was not suspended today while as the mobile internet facility was barred today.
Authorities suspended the mobile Internet service in Kashmir. Mobile Internet service of all cellular companies, including BSNL, was suspended in Kashmir in this afternoon as security reasons.
The broadband service, however, was working though with low speed.
Meanwhile, the R-Day celebrations passed off peacefully with top police officials saying that no untoward incident took place throughout the day.