Strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir, curfew on in Shopian

Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley today due to a strike called by hardline Hurriyat Conference to protest the killing of five persons in CRPF firing in Shopian, where curfew continued for the ninth consecutive day.

Shops, offices, business establishments, educational institutions and petrol pumps were shut and public transport was off the roads on a call given by Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

However, private cars, cabs and auto rickshaws were seen plying in the city and elsewhere.

Security forces have been deployed in strength in the city and major towns to prevent any untoward incident, police said.

They said most of the separatist leaders including Geelani, chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik continue to be under house arrest.

The separatists were placed under house arrest on Friday ahead of their proposed march towards Shopian town.

Five persons, including four civilians, were killed in CRPF firing in Shopian.

While four died in the retaliatory fire by the paramilitary forces after their camp at Gagran came under militant attack on September 7, another person was killed in the firing on September 11, when the forces opened fire following clashes between them and protestors who were demanding removal of the camp.

Meanwhile, curfew continued for the ninth consecutive day today in Shopian after the restrictions were re-imposed on September 12 following the killing a day earlier.

"Shopian town continues to remain under curfew," a police spokesman said.

Curfew was first clamped in Shopian on September 8, following wide-spread clashes after the killing of four persons in CRPF firing a day earlier.

The prohibitory orders were then lifted on September 11, but were re-imposed in the town next day following clashes and the killing.

Although curfew was relaxed in the town from 4.00 PM onwards on Thursday, the restrictions were re-imposed yesterday morning as a preventive measure in view of the separatist call for the march.