A complete shutdown was observed across the Kashmir Valley on Thursday against Government's proposal to establish separate colonies for Pandits, retired army soldiers and alleged attempts of RSS to change demography of State.The call for shutdown was given jointly by both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and was supported by almost all the pro-freedom groups and LeT.Witnesses told Srinagar-based news agency GNS that majority of shops, commercial establishments, schools, colleges and petrol pumps were closed in the City while government offices and banks recorded thin attendance. The public transport was also off the routes while private transport was plying normally, they said.The authorities had deployed contingents of police and paramilitary personal in Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas to maintain the law and order. The forces were also deployed in several parts of the Old City to curb protests.
Reports said a complete shutdown was observed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts of the south Kashmir. The shutdown was also observed in north Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts. The Ganderbal and Budgam districts also observed strike on the call of Hurriyat and JKLF.A police official told GNS that the day passed off peacefully and there was no incident of stone-pelting at anywhere. He said as a precautionary the pro-freedom leaders were kept under house arrest while JKLF Supremo Yasin Malik was detained already on Wednesday. (GNS)