Separatists ask people to resume normal activities from today

Srinagar, May 08:  Separatists today called off their three-day strike and asked the people of Kashmir to resume normal activities from tomorrow.

In a joint statement, the separatist trio of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, asked people to carry on with their daily activities from tomorrow (Wednesday).

They however, asked people to hoist black flags to protest against the civilian killings in the Valley.

“The JRL (joint separatist leadership) has asked the people to resume normal activities from tomorrow (Wednesday) but at the same time people from all walks of life should hoist black flags and display black arm bands to show their commitment to the movement,” a spokesman of the separatist amalgam said in a statement.

“The JRL also asked clerics and prayer leaders to offer funeral prayers in absentia for those killed in Shopian on Sunday while holding peaceful protests against the killings after congregational prayers,” he said.

The statement also said the leaders will hold consultations with representatives from various walks of life before coming out with a “comprehensive programme”.

Pertinently, Kashmir Valley remained shut during past three days due to a strike call issued by separatist leaders over the civilian and militant killings. Restrictions too remained in place in several Srinagar areas on 3^rd consecutive day.

The strike has affected normal life across the Valley, with authorities closing down schools, colleges and other educational institutions. The Kashmir University and Islamic University of Science and Technology too had cancelled all academic activity and postponed the exams scheduled to be held today.

Shops and other business establishments remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike call, though roadside vendors were seen at certain places.

Train services from Banihal to Baramulla too remained suspended once again today while Internet services in mobile devices also remained suspended for the fourth day today in many districts of the Valley.