Srinagar, Jan 26: Normal life was today affected in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir following a strike call given by breakaway faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Most people chose to stay indoors due to heavy deployment of security forces for the Republic Day and all vehicles barring those of security forces and VIPs were off the road.
Geelani had called for a strike today to protest what he termed as "usurping of right to self determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir by India”.
Tight security arrangements were in place for the celebrations at Bakshi stadium, the main venue of the celebrations in the valley, and other district headquarters. The area around the stadium and Lal Chowk were sealed of since last night and security forces had taken vantage positions to thwart any attempts by militants to disrupt the celebrations.
Bureau Report