Shutdown across Valley in support of Article 35A

SRINAGAR: A complete shutdown was observed across

Kashmir valley

on Thursday, a day ahead of the hearing of a petition against Article 35A in the Supreme Court.


On a call given by separatist leaders, all shops, business establishments, educational institutions and government offices remained closed as protesters demanded dismissal of the petition seeking scrapping of Article 35A. The article grants special privileges to permanent citizens of Jammu & Kashmir and bars any non-state person or entity to possess any immoveable property, apply for state government jobs or claim any educational scholarship.

On Wednesday, authorities had imposed restrictions on free movement of people in seven police station areas in Srinagar. The administration had also announced restrictions in various areas.

Security forces were on guard in various areas. Temporary barricades were erected on roads, halting vehicular and pedestrian movement.

Joint Resistance Leadership, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF leader

Yasin Malik

, had given a call to protest for two days (August 30-31) against any attempt to tinker with Article 35A.

The SC is scheduled to hear the PIL filed by a Delhi-based NGO ‘We, The Citizens’ for abrogation of Article 35A from the Constitution.

The Industrialists Association of Khonmoh organized a protest march in Srinagar. In Batagund Langate, traders took out a protest march. Tangdar-Karnah residents also took out processions.

A complete shutdown was observed in Rajouri district of Jammu division on a call given by the All Party Coordination Committee. Railway authorities suspended train services from Baramulla-Banihal. The Kashmir High Court Bar Association also supported the call.