Srinagar, Nov 24: Kashmir Valley on Wednesday observed a shutdown in response to the call given by Hurriyat Conference (G), spearheading the ongoing “Quit Kashmir Movement.” 
 Sensing that strike might trigger trouble, authorities had deployed paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen in sensitive areas of the old city and other major towns.
 Shops and business establishments remained closed while skeletal private transport plied on the roads. However, government offices and some private educational institutions remained open.
 In Srinagar, the situation remained normal during the day, but in the evening mild stone pelting incidents were witnessed at Nawakadal, Nalamaar and Eidgah areas of old city. Stone pelting was also reported from the city outskirts in Lawaypora area.
 In uptown Srinagar, a small group of youth appeared in Natipora area and started pelting stones on the troops. However, it continued for a brief time.
 Civil curfew was observed in south Kashmir’s Islamabad (Anantnag) town. The town wore a deserted look. Shops, schools and other business institutions remained closed. The traffic also remained off the roads.
 On Tuesday scores of people were injured while many youth were detained during clashes between protesters and troops.
 Hurriyat (G) leader Zamrooda Habib condemned the “police atrocities” on the residents of the town. She also castigated authorities for arresting youth in the area.
 Strike was also observed in Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts of South Kashmir.
 Hurriyat (G)  had given a call for shutdown today as part of its protest calendar to press for withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir.
 Life came to a grinding halt in north Kashmir also. Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora remained shut. But thin private traffic plied on the roads.
 Situation remained calm in entire north Kashmir except Sopore where mild clashes were reported. The youth pelted stones on CRPF and police in Seelu and Model Town.
 Kashmir valley has been in the grip of long spells of shutdowns and curfews after protests over the killings of civilians by police and CRPF.
  Meanwhile, a Police spokesman said that situation was normal and under control. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST