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Kashmir Observes Shutdown

By Fayaz Wani

Normal life in Srinagar and most parts of North and Central Kashmir was affected by the shutdown called by a little known separatist group, Peoples Political Party (PPP) to demand the quitting of non-Kashmiri laborers and artisans from the restive Kashmir Valley.

Shops and other business establishments in the summer capital Srinagar remained closed. All the educational institutions in the city remained locked. The attendance of employees in government, semi-government institutions and banks was very thin as most of the employees preferred to remain at home.

Fewer numbers of passenger vehicles were seen on the roads in the summer capital. However, private transport and Indian security force and police vehicles were not affected.

The Residency Road, which is the hub of business activities in summer capital, looked deserted. Usually, Residency Road is abuzz with activity, but owing to the strike, all the shops, restaurants, cyber cafes and beauty parlors remained closed.

Reports pouring in from North and central Kashmir also revealed that the strike call evoked a complete shutdown. All the shops and business establishments in the townships remained closed and traffic was off the roads. The strike call, however, evoked only a partial response in South Kashmir.

The shutdown was called by a little known separatist group, Peoples Political Party (PPP) led by Hilal Ahmad War to 'impress upon' the non-Kashmiri laborers and artisans to quit Kashmir. The group had pasted posters on walls and electricity poles in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, asking the non-Kashmiri labourers to leave Kashmir.

War says that under a conspiracy, Indian intelligence agencies and right wing Hindu group, (RSS) are sending their trained men to Kashmir under the garb of non-local laborers and artisans. "The non-local criminal elements are also coming to Kashmir and resorting to anti-social activities. They are spreading drug abuse among our future generation and making them morally corrupt", Warr said, adding, "If people don't act this time, it would have far reaching consequence for Kashmir society.

He said that the non state Kashmiris should leave Kashmir on their own in honorable manner. "Locals should also impress on the non-Kashmiris to leave the place for the larger interests of the local population", he added.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.