Srinagar, Jun 21: Normal life was affected in Kashmir Valley today due to a strike called by separatists against the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and a number of civilians over the past few weeks.
Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments in Srinagar remained shut while public transport also remained off the roads though some cabs and auto-rickshaws plied on certain routes. Authorities had also suspended train services in Kashmir as a precautionary measure.
Similar reports were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.
The separatists, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), had on Tuesday called for a strike for today against the killing of Bukhari and also civilians allegedly in government forces’ firing.
The JRL has also demanded an international probe into Bukhari’s gruesome murder.
Bukhari was shot dead, along with his two personal guards, outside his office in Press Enclave here on 14 June by unknown gunmen.
Meanwhile, JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik was today detained while Hurriyat-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house-arrest to prevent them from leading protests, police said.
Malik was taken into custody from his Maisuma residence early in the morning and shifted to Police Station Kothibagh, a police official said.
The official said Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence while Hurriyat-G chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani also continued to remain under house detention.
Meanwhile All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed its serious concern over the ‘Cordon and Search Operations’ (CaSO) across Kashmir especially in South Kashmir areas stating that intense frisking and search operations have triggered a fresh wave of terror among people as they are living in constant fear.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, the APHC denounced the authorities’ decision of detaining the leader of the amalgam, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his residence terming it as political vendetta.
The Hurriyat also condemned the continuous house detention of senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, and arresting of the JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik who was later lodged in a police station.
The Hurriyat said that world struggles are witness that no genuine movement can be muzzled through military might and that aspirations of people have to be acknowledged sooner or later and the issues resolved as per the wishes and aspirations of masses.
