Strike by Hurriyat Conference, life in Valley affected

Almost all shops, business establishments and private offices in commercial hubs of Lal Chowk and Batamaloo in Srinagar city remained closed due to the strike called by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

However, a large number of shops remained open in Civil Lines area of the city. Schools and government offices remained open, while skeletal public transport services were available in the city. Private vehicles plied on all routes.

Reports of mixed response to the strike call were also received from other district headquarters and major towns of the Valley, official sources said.

A partial shutdown was observed in Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Shopian, Anantnag and Pulwama districts, they said.

A police spokesman said law and order situation was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported till late afternoon from anywhere in the Valley.

Kashmir Valley has been in a grip of violent protests since June in which over 100 persons have died.

In his latest protest calendar, Geelani has called for hour-long protests on November 30 and December 3.