By NNN-PTI,
Srinagar, India : Life in Kashmir Valley was paralysed on Saturday following a three-day shutdown called by separatists, with protests being staged in some areas.
The valley wore a deserted look as both public and private transport kept off the roads.
Business establishments, markets, government offices, educational institutions, banks and other semi-government organisations remained closed in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley, officials said.
There was no report of untoward incident from any part of Kashmir, they said.
However, small groups of people assembled at various places across the Valley and raised “pro-freedom” slogans.
The biggest gathering was at Anantnag town followed by smaller groups at Rambagh and Bemina in the city. Protests were also held at Iqbal Park, Magarmal Bagh, Hyderpora, Bagh-e-Mehtab and other areas of the city.
A group of protesters carrying green and black flags went around Srinagar city on motorcycles and scooters raising slogans against BJP and Shiv Sena.
The Coordination Committee — an amalgam of separatist outfits– yesterday revived its agitation, sparked by the Amarnath land row, asking people in the Valley to observe a three-day shutdown from today to press for “right to self determination”.
It also demanded a dialogue involving India, Pakistan and representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Protests against the “economic blockade” of the valley by Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti in Jammu began on August 7, leading to call by separatists for march to Muzaffarabad.
As many as 22 persons including senior Hurriyat Conference leader Shiekh Abdul Aziz were killed in violence in three days from August 11. Kashmir has been by and large peaceful since August 15.