VALLEY STANDS STILL; ART. 35A HEARING TODAY

Life in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region’s Chenab valley came to a standstill as a 48hour-long shutdown began on Sunday morning over the “onslaught” against Article 35A of the Constitution, which guarantees special rights and privileges to the permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir.

The call for the strike had been issued by an alliance of key separatist leaders and endorsed by several political, social, religious and trade outfits, including the Kashmir Bar Council and civil society groups. The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume hearing a plea seeking removal of Article 35A on Monday.

LIFE IN KASHMIR CAME TO A STANDSTILL AHEAD OF A HEARING IN THE SUPREME COURT ON THE VALIDITY OF ARTICLE 35-A ON MONDAY

A call for a shutdown was issued by an alliance of key separatist leaders and endorsed by various political, social, religious and trade organisations, the Kashmir bar council and civil society groups.

Their protest was against the "onslaught" on Article 35A of the Constitution which guarantees special rights and privileges to permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir.

LEGAL CHALLENGE

The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume hearing on a petition seeking removal of Article 35A on Monday.

The petition by an NGO challenges 35A on grounds that it was not added to the Constitution through amendment, it was never presented before Parliament, and came into effect immediately.

Businesses remained shut in Valley whereas all types of public and private transport were off the roads.

The officials said there has been overwhelming response to the strike.

Situation, however, remained peaceful and no major incident of violence was reported.