Shutdown call by separatists throw life out of gear in Kashmir

Normal life was affected in the Valley due to a shutdown call by the Separatists to protest against landing of the Indian army in the state on this day in 1947.

Normal life was affected in the Valley due to a shutdown call by the Separatists to protest against landing of the Indian army in the state on this day in 1947.

On October 27 1947, Indian army landed in Srinagar after the last Maharaja Hari Singh “signed the conditional Instrument of Accession” with India. The accession also had backing of National Conference leader Sheikh Abdullah.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and public transport remained off the roads. Private vehicles were, however, seen plying on the roads.

While the Valley observed complete shutdown, the army celebrated its Infantry Day.

Bharatiya Janata Party, which for the first time is part of the ruling coalition in the state, has also planned celebration in the party headquarters in Srinagar. All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani, in a press release, appealed the United Nations secretary general to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir and persuade both India and Pakistan to initiate a process for permanent settlement of “this long pending dispute”.