SHUTDOWN CALL BY SEPARATISTS STRAINS LIFE

Curfew, restrictions and a call for shutdown by separatists crippled normal life in Kashmir on Monday, two days after Hizbul Mujahedeen militant Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter.

Officials said curfew was imposed under police station areas in Srinagar city and restrictions were imposed in several other parts of districts like Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Badgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla.

The Valley’s joint separatist leadership had called for a shutdown on Monday due to which most shops and business establishments remained shut while public transport stayed off roads.

Separatists have called for a March to Tral on Tuesday.

Chief of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest while Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief, Yasin Malik was arrested and shifted to the central jail on Sunday.

Mobile internet and telephone services on pre-paid numbers have remained suspended since Saturday. HTC