Kashmir shuts down on Independence Day

The call for complete strike has been given by the hardliner  Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Gilani, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and other leaders including Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmed Shah.

The top separatist leaders have either been placed under house arrest or detained inside police stations.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, was placed under house on Friday evening while Syed Ali Geelani continues to be under house arrest at his residence in Hyderpora area of the city.

All the shops, commercial establishments, schools, colleges, universities, petrol pumps were shut in the city while private and public transport was also were off the roads.

The authorities had deployed CRPF and police personal in sensitive areas of Civil Lines including Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Dalgate, Maisuma, Jehangir Chowk and Batamaloo to main security and law and order.

Earlier, a security blanket has been thrown around vital installations and checking intensified across Kashmir Valley ahead of Independence Day to thwart any attempt by militants to disrupt the celebrations.

Recent incidents of infiltration and ceasefire violations along the border have led to additional deployment of police and paramilitary forces in the state.

Security has been strengthened particularly around Bakshi Stadium in the Kashmir Valley where the main function of the Independence Day will be held.

Police sources said three-tier security arrangements have been made around the main venue, where Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will unfurl the tricolor.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)