Strike hits normal life in Srinagar, other major towns in J-K

A general strike called today by a traders' organisation in protest against alleged burning of a flag bearing the declaration of Islamic faith in Rajouri district disrupted the normal life in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir.
Supported by various groups including moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik-led JKLF, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) sponsored strike resulted in the closure of main markets and educational institutes in the city and elsewhere, officials said.
The attendance in government and semi-government offices was thin due to the non-availability of public transport which went off the roads in response to the call, they said.

The work in courts was also affected as the lawyers abstained from work in response to the call given by High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on the issue.
The Association had asked the lawyers to abstain from work in response to the traders strike call and also decided to constitute a team of its members to visit Rajouri and other places of Jammu province to take stock of the situation.
An indefinite curfew was imposed in Rajouri district on July 21 after some VHP activists burnt terror outfit IS flag, leading to violent clashes after protests by minority groups who said that the flag bore religious scripture.

Besides Hurriyat and JKLF, over a dozen associations representing various sections of the society also extended support to the strike call to express solidarity with the people of Rajouri.
However, the situation remained peaceful as there was no report of any bandh-related violence or protest from anywhere.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in vulnerable areas to maintain law and order, the officials said.