Traders observe shutdown in Srinagar against 'police high-handedness'

Traders and businessmen observed a shutdown today in the old city areas to protest the alleged use of force by security personnel against agitators near Jamia Masjid, a police official said.

The shutdown was called by the Jamia Market Traders' Federation against the alleged use of force and "desecration" of the mosque during protests in Nowhatta yesterday, he said.

"All shops and other business establishments were shut in the old city areas," the official said.

At least 50 people, including security personnel, were injured in the clashes after Friday prayers.

Alleging that the security forces fired pellets inside the mosque, the traders' federation also held a protest outside the mosque against the alleged "police high-handedness".

Meanwhile, several activists and leaders of separatists groups, under the aegis of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), and led by Yasin Malik, gathered near the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front's office at Abi Guzar here and marched towards Press Enclave where they held a dharna to protest against the alleged "police high-handedness" and also called for release of all political prisoners.