Shutdown hits life in Srinagar

SRINAGAR - Normal life was adversely affected by a shutdown called by the bar association here Monday as authorities imposed restrictions in the old city areas, officials said.

The shutdown was called by the association against what it alleged was a “collapse of judiciary, maltreatment meted out to political prisoners, and veiled attempts to change the demographic position and identity of the state”.

Both the hardline and moderate Hurriyat groups have supported Monday’s shutdown call.

Authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 144, prohibiting the gathering of more than five people, in five police station areas of Khanyar, Rainawari, S.R. Gunj, Nowhatta and Safa Kadal in the old city.

“The restrictions have been imposed only to ensure that no violence takes place in these areas,” a police officer said.

Shops, public transport, educational institutions and other business establishments remained closed here and attendance in government offices and banks was thin.

Some auto-rickshaws and private vehicles, however, plied on the uptown city roads.

Reports from other major towns of the Valley indicated life had been affected there as well because of the shutdown.