Shutdown affects life in Kashmir

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 08-Mar-2019

Valley observed a shutdown on Friday against mass arrest of arrest of JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik under Public Safety Act, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists, the  assault on Article 35A.The call for shutdown was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership.On Thursday JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was shifted to Jammu Jail under  contentious Public Safety Act while last week, the police swooped on Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists—apart from religious scholars of Jamiat-e-Ahlihadith and some  separatist leaders, especially in southern and central areas of the Valley.More than 100 leaders and activists of Jamaat were detained in nocturnal raids that started across  Kashmir a day before Government of India banned the organization.The JRL call evoked a good response across the Valley. In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and  Kashmir, all commercial establishments and private institutions remained closed though private transport plied on roads.In Downtown, the police imposed restrictions under  section 144, which bars assembly of more than four people at a time, amid heavy deployment of forces.A witness said in areas including Mahraj Gunj, Safa Kadal, Khanyar,  Nowhatta and Rainawari, police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent any protests, though no curfew was imposed there.  No congregational Friday  prayers were allowed at historic Jamia Masjid for last two consecutive weeks. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remained under house arrest.