Restrictions, shutdown affect life in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, Feb 11 (IANS) Restrictions imposed in parts of Srinagar for the second day Wednesday to thwart separatist called protests affected normal life here as shops and businesses were shut.

As a preventive measure to maintain law and order, restrictions will remain in force in Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, M.R. Gunj, Safa Kadal and Maisuma areas of the city, a senior police officer told IANS.

Separatists have called for Kashmir Valley-wide shutodwn Wednesday on the death anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front founder Maqbool Bhat who was hanged in Tihar Jail this day in 1984.

Shops, public transport and other businesses remained closed in Srinagar city Wednesday, while attendance in banks, post offices and government offices was thin.

Skeletal private transport and three-wheelers, however, plied on roads in up town Srinagar city.

Inter district public transport was also affected because of the separatist called shutdown.

All examinations scheduled for the day have been cancelled by Kashmir University.

JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody while some other separatist leaders have been placed under house arrest in the city.

Police said no untoward incident has so far been reported from anywhere in the valley so far.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Baramulla has ordered a time bound probe into the death of a 24-year-old Farooq Ahmad Bhat who was killed in police firing in north Kashmir's Palhalan town Monday.

Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar has assured a thorough probe will be conducted.