Normal life hit in Kashmir as separatists call for shutdown

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Normal life across Kashmir was affected today due to the strike called by separatist groups to protest against the killing of two youths in alleged army firing in Valley’s Bandipora district.

Separatist groups including both factions of Hurriyat conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) called for a complete shutdown to protest against the killings.

Two youths were killed and another was injured in two incidents of firing at Markundal in Sumbal area of Bandipora in the wee hours yesterday.

While police have registered a murder case against unidentified army personnel, the army has constituted an inquiry to probe the incident that led to the two deaths.

Shops, business establishments, educational institutions, banks and private offices remained closed due to the strike.

Public transport was off the roads in most parts of the Valley but buses carrying government employees to Civil Secretariat plied at the designated time in the morning.

Attendance in government offices was also thinner than usual due to the strike.

Police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed in number of places in Sumbal, Hajin, Naidkhai and adjoining areas to maintain law and order, official sources said.

The situation till now is by and large peaceful in the Valley, barring a couple of stray incidents of stone-pelting in central Kashmir, they said.