SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed on the second consecutive day on Thursday, against the raids by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the residences of Hurriyat leaders and activists, the ongoing mass arrest spree and possible tinkering with the Article 35-A of the Indian constitution.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, the call for the strike was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
All shops, other business establishments and government and private offices were closed, while public transport was off the roads all across the valley. Indian troops were deployed in strength at most places in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Kashmir valley.
Mobile internet speed was also reduced in the territory.
Earlier, in a massive crackdown operation, hundreds of freedom leaders and activists, including Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leaders and members were arrested across the valley.