Strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir
However, Karvan-e-Aman bus continues its journey
Srinagar/Baramulla: Normal life was partially disrupted in Kashmir today due to strike called by separatists against the recent civilian killings in the valley.
Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut here in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
They said public transport was sparse but private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were plying in many areas of the city.
Private educational institutions were shut because of the strike, the officials said.
They said similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the valley.
There were no restrictions on the movement of people anywhere in Kashmir, the officials said.
Separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), asked people to observe a complete strike today against the recent civilian killings allegedly in firing by security forces.
Meanwhile, amidst shutdown, cross LoC bus service (Karvan-e-Aman) bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered-Kashmir (Pak) on Monday continued its journey in Uri sector in north Kashmir district of Baramulla.
The bus left Salambad TRC with 15 passengers, including 4 fresh from Kashmir and 11 returnees for Kaman Post, the last Indian post on this side of LOC.
“The number of returnees from PaK were 8 while as fresh guests were 55 who are visiting their relatives here,” said an official.
The cross-LoC bus service which started on April 7, 2005, has helped thousands of divided families to meet each other after India and Pakistan agreed to allow travel of state subjects from both sides on travel permits, instead of the international passport.
The travel permit is issued to the state subject from both sides of the LoC, only after their names are cleared by the intelligence agencies from India and Pakistan. However, only state subjects from both sides can avail the cross-LoC bus facility.
