Shutdown hits life in Kashmir

Life in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley was partially affected due to a shutdown call by separatists Tuesday.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has called the shutdown against alleged politicising of the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Geelani has demanded disbanding of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) which manages the Hindu pilgrimage. He has also demanded that the pilgrimage management should be handed over to the Pandit community.

Guerrilla outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has also supported the shutdown call.

Markets, other business establishments and educational institutions in Srinagar and other towns of the Valley remained shut, but public and private transport plied on many roads.

Government offices, banks and post offices functioned normally in Srinagar and other towns.

Public transport vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh highways also plied as usual.

Small groups of tourists were seen in the morning visiting Mughal Gardens here and enjoying the usual boat rides on the Dal Lake.

Heavy deployment of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police in full riot gear have been made in the city.

No untoward incident was reported, police said.