Separatists protest V-P visit; normal life affected in Valley

Life across Kashmir valley remained paralysed for the second successive day on Saturday as separatists called for a strike against the visit of vice president M Hamid Ansari here in connection with the 17th convocation of the Kashmir University. Business establishments and shops remained closed in response to the call given by hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, officials said.
     
Educational institutions, banks, courts and semi-government institutions remained closed in Srinagar and elsewhere, they said, adding attendance in government offices was "negligible" mainly due to absence of public and private transport.
     
Life in the Valley was hit yesterday as authorities had imposed stringent restrictions to thwart attempts by pro-separatist protesters to take out rallies at several places after the Friday prayers. Hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference had called for "Baramulla Chalo" march to protest the arrest of separatist leaders and the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian, 52 kms from here, on May 30.
     
Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar said, "As an individual, we welcome Ansari to Kashmir but as the representative of the Indian government we protest his visit to convey our message to Centre," Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar said.