Srinagar, Dec 20: Normal life was paralysed in Kashmir valley today following a bandh organised by the human rights forum to protest the death sentence to three Kashmiri youth in the Parliament attack case. Shops, business establishments, schools and other educational institutions remained closed here in response to the bandh called by HRF chairman Mohammad Ahsan Untoo and supported by various separatist, militant and political groups.

Security has been tightened at all public places, including mosques, following reports of separatist groups planning to organise protest rallies after Friday prayers today against the capital punishment awarded to s A R Geelani, Shaukat a guru and Mohd Afzal by a special court in Delhi on December 18, police sources said.

Additional police personnel have been posted around all major mosques, sensitive government and semi-government installations to prevent any untoward incident and to maintain law and order, they added.
Public transport remained off the roads though some private vehicles were seen plying in the city.

However, Kashmir university authorities have decided to go ahead with their ongoing examinations.
Reports from Baramulla district, the native place of the three convicts, said people of this north Kashmir district were staying indoors in support of the strike call.
Bureau Report