Banihal/Kishtwar, July 2: Kishtwar and Banihal townships Friday observed complete shutdown, to protest the killing of innocent youth across the Kashmir valley.
All the shops and other business establishments in both the towns remained closed, while attendance in the government offices was also thin. Schools and other educational institutions were also closed, following the strike, while heavy security arrangements were made to avert any untoward incident.
Hundreds of youth took to streets in Banihal town, this morning, and staged a protest demonstration. Shouting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans the protesters marched on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
However, the protests remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.
Imams at the local mosques condemned what they called the brutal use of force on innocent youth across Kashmir Valley, which has led to killing of several youth, in the last few days.
They warned the government that the people in other parts of the state will not remain mute spectators to the atrocities being committed by the security forces and police on the people in the Valley.
 Bandh also passed off peacefully in Kishtwar town, which almost wore a deserted look. However, in some parts of the town the call witnessed mixed response.
 Addressing people during Friday congregation, Imam Jamia Masjid Molvi Farooq Ahmed said that the sacrifices of the people will not go waste and government of India will have to budge before the aspirations of the people. He asked the people to remain calm but warned that the people will come out on streets in case the security forces are not restrained from using unnecessary force against the innocent people.
 District administration and police had made unprecedented security arrangements in the area. Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary personnel guarded roads and sensitive places throughout the day.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST