Strike affects normal life in some parts of the Valley

Shops, schools, banks and other business establishments in and around Lal Chowk area here remained closed due to the strike called by Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Geelani, on Saturday, had called for a day-long shutdown to protest the court ruling.

The High Court had dismissed the petition of Faktoo, sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of human rights activist H N Wanchoo.

Faktoo sought court direction for his release as he had completed 20 years in jail in May this year.

The strike call was supported by United Jehad Council, an amalgam of militant outfits, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

Meanwhile, All Kashmir Valley Transporters Association (AKVTA), a representative body of transporters in the Valley, had also called for a complete wheel-jam today to press for revision of passenger fare.

Public transport remained off the roads in most areas, while private cars were seen plying normally.

However, the call evoked mixed response in other districts of the Valley where shops remained open and people went on with their normal life.