Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Aug 30: For the second time this month, the valley and parts of Jammu on Thursday observed a shutdown in support of the Article 35-A a petition against is going to be heard by the Supreme Court of India.
On the call given by the separatist, and supported by traders and other organisations, an uneasy calm prevailed across the valley, where life came to a standstill.
Educational institutions, shops, markets and other businesses establishments across the valley remained closed, while transport remained off the roads for the entire day.
In some areas of Kashmir particularly south and north Kashmir, protest were held by the people, calling dismissal of the litigation challenging validity of Article 35-A in the Supreme Court.
Fearing protests, the government had already intensified the security blanket across the vulnerable place in the city and other areas.
A police official said they have imposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPC in many areas of city to prevent protests.
In Srinagar, immense restriction were imposed in downtown areas including Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Nawakadal, Gojwara and other areas falling in their vicinity.
The forces had erected barricades and checking points at many places in downtown where the commuters and two wheelers were mostly frisked by them.
The downtown entirely wore a deserted look where even pharmacy shops, dairies and bakery shops had downed the shutters of their shops.
A similar situation prevailed in the uptown and other areas of the city including volatile Maisuma, where people remained indoors.
At Lal Chowk, Industrialists of Khunmoh held a protest demonstration near GhantaGhar against the attempts to abrogate the Article 35-A.
Shouting slogans against the Central government, the protesting industrialists demanded the immediate dismissal of the petition challenging the validity of Article 35-A in Constitution of India.
The other parts of the valley including North and Central Kashmir equally responded to the shutdown call by observing an unprecedented shutdown.
In north Kashmir’s, protests were held by the people in Kupwara district’s Tangdar and Karnah areas, where protestors marched and sought dismissal of the plea in Supreme Court.
Traders from Rohama Rafiabad also protested and pledged to protect the special status of the state at every cost.
In south Kashmir Tral area, members of Sikh community also staged a protest against attempts to scrap the State Subject Law. Moreover, people from all walks of life, including trade unions, took part in the protest. The protesters, carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans against scrapping of Article 35-A.
Meanwhile rail services between Kashmir and the Bannihal town of Jammu region remained suspended in view of the current situation.
Parts of Jammu division including Chenab valley and Poonch in PirPanjal region equally responded to the Joint Hurriyat’s shutdown call by closing their routine business and educational institutes.
Various religious association including AnjumanIsalamiaBhadarwah, MarkaziSeerat Committee Doda, Anjuman Islamia Gandoh, Masjid Committee Thathri and Majlis-e-Shoura Kishtwar had jointly supported the Joint Hurriyat’s two-day shutdown call.
Most of the business establishments in Rajouri including main town including Gujjar Mandi market, Kheora market, Abdullah bridge market and several other parts remained closed while private passenger vehicles were off the roads, affecting normal life in the district.
Reports also said that Doda, Gandoh, Kahara and Thathri also observed shutdown.
