Shutdown over sainik colony issue affects life in Kashmir

A protest shutdown called by separatists, on Thursday, affected life in the Kashmir Valley, despite the fact that the authorities did not impose any restrictions.

Separatist leaders have called for a Valley wide shutdown against the alleged government decision to set up a 'sainik' (Ex-servicemen) colony.

Separatists alleged the intention behind setting up a Sainik colony here is to change the demography of the Muslim majority Valley.

"There will be no restrictions anywhere in the city today," a senior police official told.

"Adequate deployment of security forces has been made in sensitive areas to ensure peace."

Authorities placed senior separatist leaders, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik under detention on Wednesday.

While Mirwaz Umer was placed under house arrest at his uptown Nigeen residence in Srinagar, Malik was arrested from his party's office in Abi Guzar area and shifted to Kothibagh police station.

Octogenarian senior separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani was also placed under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar.

The state government asserts that no non-local ex-serviceman can become part of any sainik colony in Kashmir as only permanent residents of the state can purchase it.

The government also asserted that no land was allotted for the Sainik colony so far and the matter is still pending at the proposal level.

All shops, public transport, other business establishments and educational institutions remained shut in Srinagar city and all other major cities and towns in the Valley.

Government offices, banks and post offices, however, functioned normally with reduced attendance.