Separatist strike in Kashmir affects normal life for 2nd day

Srinagar: Separatist-sponsored strike against the death of eight civilians in poll violence affected normal life for the second consecutive day in Kashmir where a school designated as a polling centre in Shopian district was set on fire by miscreants.

Most shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut across the Valley, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, but private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at few places across Kashmir.

The officials said while no restrictions were imposed anywhere in the Valley, security forces have been deployed at sensitive places to maintain law and order.

The separatists had called for a two-day shutdown from Monday against the deaths of eight protesters in firing by security forces on Sunday, saying it was the only way for them to express solidarity with the families of those killed.

Separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for the 'hartal' to protest against the deaths.

Meanwhile, miscreants last night set on fire a government school building in Shopian. The school was designated as a polling centre, officials said.

They said the Government High School, Rawalpora, Shopian was set ablaze last night and the fire damaged the building completely.