Kidnapped

“11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley. What’s worse is the selective outrage - people/ leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions,” tweeted former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

The abductions were all reported from south Kashmir, which has emerged as a militant hotspot in the Valley in recent years. As many as 33 cops have been killed so far this year, including three on Eid, when policemen were visiting their homes despite an advisory that cautioned against such a move. About 1,600 policemen have died in J & K since armed insurgency broke out in 1990.

Kashmir remained paralysed for a second straight day because of a strike in protest against a petition in the Supreme Court against Section 35A of the Constitution. Schools, universities, businesses and most offices remained shut Friday as government forces in riot gear patrolled deserted streets. A partial curfew was imposed in Srinagar.

(with agency inputs) in any way.

Kashmir valley shut down completely on Thursday in response to a call by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A while protests by various organizations including West Pak refugees, Valmiki and Gukha communities demanding its immediate abrogation rocked Jammu.

Jammu & Kashmir’s new governor Satya Pal Malik had said the state administration would file a plea in the Supreme Court seeking a deferral of the hearing into the contentious law.

In an interview to Hindustan Times, Malik — who is the administrative head of the state which has been under Governor’s Rule since the fall of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in June — said the administration would tell the top court that the views of the state’s people can only be represented by an elected government.