Srinagar: Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown on Friday in response to the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) against what they describe ‘fake killings’ in Lolab Valley.

Shops and business establishments in Srinagar remained closed due to the strike. Skelton private transport however plied on the roads in some parts of Srinagar.

The police had made elaborate security arrangements to thwart any protests. The police and paramilitary personnel, wearing riot gear, were deployed at major intersections and sensitive areas of Srinagar. Stone Pelting incident was reported from Maisuma Srinagar after police foiled JKLF march.

A police official told CNS that the situation remained normal throughout Kashmir valley on Friday, however, stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from Rajouri Kadal in Srinagar, Naid Khai and Hajan in Bandipora. There are no reports of injury to anyone, so far.

Reports from various district headquarters including Shopian, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara and other areas said that shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads.

Prohibatory orders remained in vogue in Lolab Valley while in most part of the frontier district of Kupwara, situation remained peaceful. At Buhipora, Kupwara a procession was taken out after Friday prayers. The peaceful protestors demanded that the identity of the slain ‘militants’ be revealed at an earliest.

Protests were also reported from South Kashmir’s Pulwama town. Eyewitnesses told CNS that scores of youth staged a protest at New Colony Pulwama after which police swung into action and allegedly arrested four youth. The arrests of youth, sparked protest at Prichoo area where scores of youth took to streets and staged a protest.

A number of pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Khan, Muhammad Yousuf Shah were either detained by police or placed under house arrest.

Geelani had called for a complete shutdown to protest against, what he termed as, ‘fake killings. (CNS)