Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 30: A complete shutdown was observed amid protests in Kashmir valley today against the challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35-A.
Amid shutdown across Kashmir, protests were held at several places. Shops and business establishments were closed across the Valley while all kinds of transport remained off the roads due to the strike called by the separatist groups.
Schools and other educational institutions remained closed while attendance in the Government and semi-Government departments remained thin.
Security forces were deployed in strength at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir for maintaining law and order.
Restrictions were imposed within the jurisdiction of five police stations including MR Gunj, Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal besides Maisuma and Kral Khud.
Separatist leaders have called for a two-day strike — today and tomorrow — as Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of the Article 35-A on August 31. Various organizations including Bar Association, transporters and traders’ bodies have extended support to the shutdown called by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest last night to prevent him from leading any protests, said a spokesman of the amalgam. He said the Mirwaiz was placed under detention at his Nigeen residence at 8 pm.
The rail services between Baramulla and Banihal towns have been suspended for two days.
The University of Kashmir has also rescheduled all entrance exams being held on Thursday and Friday for admission to various Post-Graduate courses.
Protests were held at Bandipora, Panzla Baramulla, Handwara, Tral, Baramulla besides Parimpora and Ghanta Ghar Lal Chowk. The protesters vowed to defend the Article 35A.
Protests were held in Tangdhar and Tral township of North and South Kashmir districts of Kupwara and Pulwama respectively in support of Article 35-A.
Scores of residents of Tral township, including members of Sikh community, staged a protest in the main town against attempts to scrap Article 35-A, which grants special privileges to residents of Jammu and Kashmir. People from all walks of life, including trade unions, took part in the protest.
In the frontier district of Kupwara, scores of residents from Tangdhar-Karnah area also held a protest demonstration in support of Article 35-A.
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