A complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley on Wednesday on the call given by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) which had appealed people to observe the August 15 as “black day”.
All shops and other business establishments remained shut in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley while traffic was off the roads.
Government offices and banks are closed in view of the public holiday. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in Srinagar city where the main function was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Sonawar. Nakas were placed at all the major intersections in the city to prevent any militant attacks. Every vehicle was stopped and frisked before crossing the nakas, reports said.
Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, the main venue of I-day parade, was placed under siege with a three-tier security to thwart any possible militant attacks. Barricades were erected on all roads leading to the venue, they said.
The internet services suspended since midnight were restored on Wednesday afternoon after the official functions ended. Only BSNL landline services and its wired-internet facilities remained uninterrupted. Internet was suspended as a precautionary measure on the Independence Day, an official said. Authorities have been clamping down on mobile services on Republic Day and I-Day, in Kashmir.