Separatists call for Kashmir shutdown during Obama’s visit

SRINAGAR - Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani called for a three-day shutdown in the Kashmir Valley beginning Saturday to coincide with US President Barack Obama’s visit to India. The authorities, however, did not impose any curfew here.

“It does not matter whether anybody talks about us or not. The fact is that peace in South Asia would remain elusive unless the people of Kashmir are given their basic right to freedom,” Geelani, who has been spearheading the Quit Kashmir campaign for over four months now, told reporters.

He was referring to media reports that Obama might not refer to Kashmir during his visit to India.

Shops, other businesses, public transport, educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar city and other major towns of the valley in response to the shutdown call, but privately owned vehicles plied in some parts here.

No curfew has been imposed anywhere in Srinagar city today (Saturday). Restrictions have been imposed in north Kashmir Sopore, Palhalan, Delina and south Kashmir Anantnag towns, but these are purely preventive in nature,” a senior police official said.

Movements of office-goers, patients and school children are being allowed in areas under restrictions,” the official said.