Kupwara, Oct 29: Lolab Valley in this frontier district observed a complete shutdown on Saturday against government’s alleged “indifferent attitude” towards the area. The call for the shutdown was given by the local MLA of Peoples Democratic Party advocate Abdul Haq Khan.
 All shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic remained off the roads.
 Locals are demanding that Police should hold recruitment rallies in the area on the pattern of other constituencies as hundreds of youth are unemployed.
 The other demand calls for urgent construction of a bye-pass link between Lolab and Kupwara, project that has almost been shelved off by the present government.
 “At present there is only one road link from Kupwara to Lolab which passes through an army camp and involves severe restrictions on movement of civilians. The road remains closed during the night and even patients and other emergencies cannot be attended in absence of a special permission,” locals said, adding that they would intensify the protests if their demands were not met.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST