Valley shutdown enters second day

The Kashmir Valley responded to the shutdown call by separatists-sponsored Kashmir Coordination Committee, bringing life to a grinding halt for the second consecutive day, reports Rashid Ahmad.

The Kashmir Valley responded to the shutdown call by separatists-sponsored Kashmir Coordination Committee, bringing life to a grinding halt for the second consecutive day on Saturday.

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Shops, business establishments, banks and educational institutions remained closed and transport was off the roads.

Barring a clash between protestors and police at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar that left about 24 persons wounded, the day passed of peacefully in the rest of Kashmir valley.

The coordination committee which also includes representatives of businesses, lawyers and government employees, issued on September 7 a month-long calendar of protests and strikes as part of its campaign for the right of self-determination.

The campaign was provoked by a government order transferring 40 hectares of forestland to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board in June. Over 40 people died so far and hundreds wounded in the protest demonstrations and public rallies since June 23, when the committee launched formal protest campaign.