Normal life hit in Kashmir Valley due to strike called by separatist groups

Normal life was today affected in Kashmir Valley due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest against the alleged harassment of Kashmiri students outside the state. Shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and educational institutions remained shut in Srinagar while thin attendance was witnessed in banks and government offices, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads. However, private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were plying normally. Reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters in the Valley, the officials said.

Separatist groups, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF, had called for a strike today to protest alleged beating, harassment and intimidation of Kashmiri students outside the state.