Srinagar, April 23 (KNO) : As Anantnag district went to polls today, Kashmir valley observed complete shutdown over Joint Resistance Leadership’s (JRL) call against “ill-treatment” to JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik at New Delhi, “aggression” of NIA and ED. JRL had called for the shutdown as Malik's health deteriorated in New Delhi where he is under NIA's custody.
While the district Anantnag was fortified by forces to conduct smooth polls were only 12.85 poll percentage was recorded but elsewhere reports reaching KNO said that all shops and other business establishments in Srinagar were closed.
According to KNO correspondent, schools and other educational institutions in Srinagar were closed. Public traffic also remained off of the roads. Reports from other district headquarters said that shutdown was also observed there as well.
JRL while urging people to observe strike had said that that Yasin Malik 'has in fact put his life in danger while protesting against the “highhandedness” of NIA and also against its humiliating attitude towards Kashmiris.'
“It is our collective responsibility to express solidarity with him and with all those who have and are facing NIA, ED wrath unleashed by Indian state apparatus by closing down our business, transport, offices and other activities and to send a clear message to the world that Kashmiris we as a nation are not going to budge before the military might of India,” JRL had said. JRL comprises of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik.(KNO)