Life in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley was affected on Friday due to a shutdown called by hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, to protest against the killing of seven unidentified militants by the Army in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday.
Reports said shops and business establishments remained closed in major districts, including Srinagar, while public transport remained off the roads. Banks and government offices witnessed thin attendance while lawyers also stayed away from work. Schools remained closed on account of the on-going winter vacations.
Authorities had deployed large number of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to thwart any protests. In old city areas of Srinagar, police and CRPF men were deployed in every nook and corner to thwart any protest demonstration. The police and CRPF had laid razor wires and erected barricades at some road junctions. Armoured vehicles were also seen at some road junctions in old Srinagar.
Geelani had called for a complete shutdown and demonstration after Friday prayers against the killings and had also demanded an independent investigation into the incident. Seven unidentified militants, all believed to be foreigners, were killed in an encounter with Army and Police in Dardpora forests of Lolab on Monday.
Following the encounter, protests broke out in the area as locals demanded that they be shown the bodies to ascertain if there were any locals among the slain militants.
Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in Lolab area of Kupwara district.