Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar, Jan 26: A complete shutdown was on Saturday observed across the Valley following a call given by the Joint Hurriyat Leadership, even as authorities set up barricades on several roads in Srinagar areas.
Joint Hurriyat comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had appealed people to observe January 26 as ‘black day’.
All the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and others remained closed, while as the traffic was also off the roads throughout the day.
The commercial hub Lal Chowk and others roads in Srinagar and other districts wore a deserted look on Saturday as both private as well passenger vehicular movement remained off the roads throughout the day.
Witnesses said roads leading to the venue where R-Day function was held were sealed with large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel deployed on the roads.
Earlier, the traffic police City Srinagar had informed that general public that traffic movement will remain suspended on several road stretches as security reasons.
All the entry and exit points were under close security vigil while some important roads were suspended for vehicular movement from Saturday morning till afternoon.
A top police official said that adequate security arrangements were made to ensure “peaceful celebrations today”.
However, unlike previous years, only the mobile internet connectivity was suspended on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the R-Day event passed off peacefully with top police officials saying that no untoward incident took place throughout the day.
Pak intruder shot dead in Samba: BSF
Srinagar, Jan 26: An intruder was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday while he was trying to cross the International Border in Samba area of Jammu, officials said.
A BSF spokesman said that the man was trying to sneak into the Indian territory at around 1.30 pm in Samba when BSF personnel shot him dead after he ignored a warning.
“Pakistan Rangers have been asked to take back the body,” he said, adding that the body would be handed over to the police if the Pakistani Rangers refuse to accept it.
