SRINAGAR: Hundreds of more protesters yesterday joined the ongoing violence in the strike-hit Kashmir. Protesters clashed with police as a separatist strike over the alleged rape and murder of two young Muslim women paralyzed Indian Kashmir for a sixth day.
The strike closed shops, schools, banks and offices in the summer capital Srinagar and other towns in the revolt-hit Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, police and witnesses said.
Shops and businesses were closed and public transport remained off roads in towns such as Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipora, Pulwama, the southern Shopian and Kulgam towns. The strike was scheduled to hold through today.
Earlier yesterday, the main opposition People’s Democratic Party held a protest march in Srinagar. Its leader, Mehbooba Mufti, called for the repeal of tough security laws that have given the security forces sweeping powers.
“The situation is such that until atrocities don’t end and the forces do not return to the barracks, people of Kashmir cannot lead a respectable, normal life,” Mehbooba said.
