Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley on Saturday due to strike call forwarded by separatist leaders to protest against crackdown on JNU students and the arrest of former Delhi University professor SAR Geelani who has been accusing of organizing pro-Afzal Guroo event and coxing people to raise anti-India slogans.Shops, public transport and other businesses remained closed here and in other major districts and towns of the Valley. Inter-district transport also remained suspended. The shutdown was called by the separatists to show their support for students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), who faced police action for commemorating the death of parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru, as well as the arrest of SAR Geelani on the charge of taking part in anti-national activities.Attendance in banks, post offices and government offices was thin due to non-availability of public transport in Srinagar and other district headquarters.All PG entrance exams scheduled on Saturday had been postponed by Kashmir University.
The railway authorities had suspended services between north Kashmir Baramulla town and Bannihal town of Jammu region because of the law and order situation.Although deployments of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been made in sufficient strength at sensitive places in Srinagar and other cities and towns, authorities did not impose restrictions anywhere in Srinagar on public and vehicular movement. However to thwart possible protests authorities placed almost all the leading separatist leaders under house detention. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik was placed under house arrest early Saturday. Muhammad Ishaq Ganaie, District president Islamabad and Rafiq War, District President Kupwara of JKLF were also detained in police stations. (CNS)