Strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir

Srinagar: Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley Wednesday due to a strike called by separatist groups in view of the Lok Sabha elections here.

Polling is underway in Srinagar and the effect of strike here has accentuated due to holiday declared by the Election Commission. Shops, offices, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut while public transport was off, official sources said. There are similar reports from other districts of the valley, they said, adding however private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying. Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference had called for a general strike today, condemning the "crackdown" on separatist leadership and arrest of youth ahead of the polling.