Strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir

Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley on Saturday due to a strike called by Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, to protest the killing of a mother-son duo in Rajouri district by a member of village defence committee (VDC).

Shops, business establishments, private offices and petrol pumps in and around the city centre here, remained shut while attendance in government offices was affected due to the strike, officials said.

They said public transport was sparse but private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws plied normally.

Banks remained closed on account of the fourth Saturday of the month, while schools are shut because of the ongoing winter vacations.

Reports of shutdown were also received from most of the district headquarters of the Valley, the official said.

Geelani had called for a state-wide shutdown to protest the killing of Shamima Akhter and her three-year-old son, Tohid, allegedly by VDC member Mushtaq Ahmed.

Earlier, on December 19, another VDC member Kewal Sharma had shot dead National Conference (NC) leader Ishtiyaq Ahmed following an altercation.

The opposition parties, including the NC, and separatists have called for disbanding of VDCs.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has ruled out disbanding of VDCs.