Call for shutdown in valley over IS flag burning

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: A shutdown has been called in Kashmir valley for tomorrow by a business amalgam and supported by separatists against setting Islamic State (IS) flag on fire in Rajouri district of the State.
The call has been given by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) against burning of ISIS flag which bore sacred religious writing and also against the alleged “biased approach” of authorities of Government.
The valley separatists including Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Yasin Malik and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, extended their support to the call. A private school body has also supported the shutdown call.
Meanwhile, the traders in city’s Amira Kadal area of Lal Chowk held a peaceful protest against events in Rajouri. Several separatist activists also attended the protest.
In Nowhatta area of downtown, the masked youth, once again, waved the black flag of middle-east based, ISIS, after Friday prayers. The flag wavers also raised slogans in favour of ISIS chief. Witnesses said some masked youth thrashed a cameraperson of a National Television channel over filming them and asked other media men to leave the spot after brief altercation. Interestingly, there was no deployment of security forces in the Nowhatta area.