Shutdown against Mannan Wani, associate’s killing Affects Normal life in Kashmir Valley

All shops, business establishments, schools and colleges, petrol pumps remained closed here in response to the shutdown called by JRL against killing of Wani and his associate by government forces in a gunfight in Shatgund village of Kupwara on Thursday.

The shutdown also affected the public transport even as light motor vehicles were only seen plying on the otherwise busy roads of this summer capital, they said. Many government offices also witnessed thin attendance of employees in view of the strike.

Here in Srinagar, stringent security measures were put in place to thwart any attempt of people to hold anti-India demonstrations, witnesses said. Carrying riot gear, the CRPF troopers and police maintained strict vigil in volatile areas, especially Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal and other localities of the old city.

Reports of shutdown have also been received from other major towns and districts of the Valley.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara, class work in all schools and colleges remained suspended today on the orders of district authorities amid fears of widespread protest against the scholar turned militant’s killing.

Meanwhile, early reports coming in said that people in large numbers were visiting Mannan Wani’s home to express solidarity with his family.