Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 11: Normal life was paralyzed in Kashmir Valley for the third consecutive day today due to shutdown called by separatists on the 33rd hanging anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) co-founder Maqbool Bhat.
Most of the shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps were closed across the city here and skeletal transport movement was visible on roads. Security forces were deployed since early morning in areas falling under five police stations – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal – and they had erected concertina wires and barricades at several places to prevent protests.
Police said the situation across the city remained peaceful. However, stone-throwing clashes erupted between youths and security forces at Naid Kadal area of Old City during which police fired teargas canisters. The clashes were also reported from Parimpora area on city outskirts. No one was injured in these clashes.
The shutdown was also observed in other districts of the Valley. Apprehending protests, the security was beefed up at Trehgam – the native area of Maqbool Bhat – in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Sources said on the directions of authorities, the telecommunication network remained partially suspended in Kupwara district. The clashes between youth and security forces erupted at Papchan area of Bandipora district.
The Valley has been under lockdown and restrictions for the past three days. While shutdown was observed on Thursday to mark hanging anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, the authorities yesterday clamped restrictions to scuttle UN march of separatists. The normal life is expected to resume from tomorrow as there is no call for shutdown.
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