Srinagar, Aug 15: Normal life in Kashmir valley was completely paralysed today following a general strike call given by separatist organisations to observe the Independence Day as "Black Day".
Shops and business establishments remained closed while
roads and streets all across the valley wore a deserted look
in view of the strike call given by hardline faction of
Hurriyat Conference, which was supported by other groups
including the moderate faction.
The hardline faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has
urged the people of the state to observe the day as "black
day as India has not fulfilled its promise of holding a
plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to decide the future of the
state".
The effect of the strike was accentuated by the public
holiday on account of independence day and stringent security
arrangements made to ensure incident-free celebrations.
The security forces did not allow any movement,
pedestrian or vehicular, in areas close to Bakshi Stadium,
the main venue for the celebrations in the state.
Only those persons who have security passes were allowed
out of their localities.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 00:00