Kashmir Shuts Down At Noon

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 19: The life came to a grinding halt in Kashmir on Friday afternoon in response to the strike call given by the Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), which is spearheading the agitation.

As the clock struck 12:30 noon, the business establishments and s shopkeepers pulled down shutters of their shops and the vehicular traffic was forced from the roads.

JKCC had appealed people to observe strike after noon on Friday.

After mid-noon, the work in government, semi-government offices, banks and educational institutions came to a halt after the Friday prayers.

Soon after the conclusion of Friday prayers, people took to roads in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir to demand "freedom from Indian occupation". The people raised pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.

The protest demonstrations barring few incidents remained by and large peaceful. The protestors on the call of the separatist leaders refrained from raising provocative and offensive slogans.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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