<p class="title rtejustify">A strike called by separatists against Independence Day celebrations affected normal life in parts of Kashmir Valley today.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, stringent security measures were put in place across the valley for the celebrations, a police official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Shops, private offices, fuel stations and other businesses were shut in Srinagar, the official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">He said the city wore a deserted look as vehicles remained off roads. Only a few private cars were seen plying.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The police official said reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters in the valley.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The separatists under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership had asked people to observe a "black day" today. The JRL – comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik – had asked people to observe a complete strike.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The police official said security forces have been deployed across the valley, especially at sensitive places, to maintain law and order.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Authorities have barred mobile telephone services, including Internet facility on handheld devices, as a precautionary measure. </p>
<p class="title rtejustify">A strike called by separatists against Independence Day celebrations affected normal life in parts of Kashmir Valley today.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">However, stringent security measures were put in place across the valley for the celebrations, a police official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Shops, private offices, fuel stations and other businesses were shut in Srinagar, the official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">He said the city wore a deserted look as vehicles remained off roads. Only a few private cars were seen plying.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The police official said reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters in the valley.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The separatists under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership had asked people to observe a "black day" today. The JRL – comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik – had asked people to observe a complete strike.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The police official said security forces have been deployed across the valley, especially at sensitive places, to maintain law and order.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Authorities have barred mobile telephone services, including Internet facility on handheld devices, as a precautionary measure. </p>