Separatist shutdown affects life in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 15 (IANS) Life across Srinagar was affected Thursday due to a separatist shutdown called against alleged indiscriminate arrests of youths in Kashmir Valley for allegedly inciting violence during the recent parliamentary polls.

Syed Ali Geelani, who formed the seperatist group Tehrik-e-Hurriyat, called for a shutdown Thursday against the alleged indiscriminate arrests of youths by the police.

During the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, dozens of youths, allegedly involved in stone pelting incidents, were arrested to ensure that willing voters were not prevented from exercising their democratic rights.

Shops, businesses, public transport, schools and colleges remained closed in Srinagar because of the shutdown.

Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said, "All the youths arrested recently as a preventive measure are being released since the election process has ended peacefully."

"In fact, we have already released many of them although chronic stone pelters would be dealt with in accordance with the law," the official said.

Government offices, banks and post offices functioned normally in the city and other major towns of the valley although attendance was affected at these places because of non-availability of public transport.

Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed at sensitive locations in the city.