Normal life was paralysed in Kashmir on Sunday due to a shutdown called by various trade bodies against attacks on people of Kashmiri origin in Jammu and other parts of India following protests over Pulwama bombing.
All shops and other commercial establishments are closed in Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and elsewhere in the valley while public and private transport is off the roads.
Roads are wearing a deserted look in commercial hub of Lal Chowk. The weekly flea-market has remained closed as well due to the strike which was called by Kashmir Economic Alliance, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Forum and other trade bodies.
Issuing the call yesterday, the trade bodies demanded the state government to ensure security of Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of India who have been targeted following Pulwama bombing on Thursday that left 49 CRPF personnel dead.
The traders also held a protest demonstration at Lal Chowk yesterday after closing their shops at 3 pm. “The entire trade fraternity has jointly decided to observe a complete bandh on Sunday. Attacks on a particular community, especially targeting of Kashmiris at Jammu and other states is unacceptable,” Farhan Kitab, chief spokesman, KTMF said on Saturday.
He said the safety and security of Kashmiris outside the Valley is the biggest priority for them even if it meant sacrificing everything, he said.