Shutdown against alleged drug racket affects life in Valley

Srinagar, April 20 (IANS) Life across summer capital Srinagar and other towns of the Valley was affected Saturday by a separatist shutdown call against the alleged sale of spurious drugs at medical stores attached to government hospitals.

Shops, public transport, other business establishments and educational institutions remained closed, while government offices, banks, post offices and private transport functioned normally in Srinagar.

Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents in riot gear were deployed at sensitive areas in the city.

The shutdown has been called by the hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani against a drug racket in which it is alleged spurious life saving drugs were sold to patients in government-run hospital drug stores.

The local bar association has also decided to boycott courts Saturday in support of the separatist call against alleged drug racket.