Srinagar, Mar 1, KNT: Normal life across the Kashmir Valley came to a standstill on Friday in response to a strike call issued by the Mashawrat Majlis Muthida (MMM), which has been demanding the return of Muhammad Afzal Guru’s mortal remains. Guru was executed at Tihar Jail in New Delhi on February 9.
Though the administration refrained from imposing curfew or formal restrictions, most areas observed a complete shutdown. After Friday prayers, peaceful processions were held in many parts of the Valley, though no incidents of violence were reported.
In Srinagar, the strike largely paralyzed daily life. Shops, commercial establishments, courts, and tuition centres remained shut in most parts of the city. Public transport was largely off the roads, although a few private vehicles were seen moving through some localities in the uptown areas.
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Areas such as Sonwar Bazar, Shivpora, Rajbagh, Hyderpora, Sanatnagar, Jawahar Nagar, Barzulla, and Batwara witnessed a partial response to the strike call. However, Lal Chowk and nearby areas including Maisuma, Maharaj Bazar, and Gowkadal observed a complete shutdown. Entry and exit points in the old city were blocked, and paramilitary vehicles were stationed at several intersections.
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In Budgam and Ganderbal districts of central Kashmir, the shutdown was near total. Shops and transport services were non-operational even on internal routes. Similar reports came from southern districts including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam, where business and transport activities remained suspended.
In north Kashmir, normal life was affected in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts. In Thregam area of Kupwara, a large post-prayer procession was led by the brother of late Maqbool Bhat. Peaceful marches were also reported from Hyderpora, Sopore, Sumbal, Hajin, Handwara, Shopian, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Pakherpora.
The authorities had made extensive security arrangements across all major towns to prevent any untoward incidents. Police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength, and roadblocks were erected in sensitive locations.
While the urban centres of Srinagar saw some limited movement in select neighbourhoods, the impact of the shutdown was more intense in rural areas across central, south, and north Kashmir. Areas like Tral, Pampore, Kangan, Chadoora, Pakherpora, and Handwara also observed a complete shutdown.
Officials said the day passed off peacefully without any major law and order issues being reported from any part of the Valley. [KNT]
