Srinagar, Aug 06 (KNS): Amid protests by the traders, a complete shutdown as Monday observed for the second consecutive day in the Valley to protest against the abrogation of Article 35-A.
The two-day shutdown in the Valley begun on Sunday on the call given by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, who had appealed people to observe complete strike on Aug 05 and 06 against the abrogation of Article 35-A.
The shutdown call was supported by the Kashmir Inc, a joint umbrella of Valley trade bodies who also staged week-long protest over the scrapping of Article 35-A and vowed to fight with blood to protect State Subject Law in the state.
All the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps, educational institutions and other establishments remained closed across the Valley while as the transport was also of the roads.
Besides, the railway authorities continued to suspend the train services on Banihal -Baramulla track.
Notably, the Article 35-A case which was listed for today was adjourned the case till August 27 this year by the top court of India.
Amid shutdown, scores of trade bodies today held a protest against the abrogation of Article 35-A.
Police today foiled the protest march of Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and detained scores of its members after they marched from Lal Chowk area here towards United Nations (UN) office in Sonwar to mark a protest against what they call possible abrogation of Article 35-A.
According to the trade body, the protesters were scheduled to submit a memorandum to the UN Secretary General, seeking his intervention for the dismissal of the petition challenging Article 35-A.
Carrying placards and banners, the protesters chanted slogans in favour of Article 35-A.
Farooq Ahmad Dar Chairman of KEA said the protest march was aimed to submit the memorandum to seek UN’s intervention in dismissing the petition filed in the top court of India over abrogation of Article 35-A.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
However, the protesters were disallowed to march towards UN office here while as scores among them detained on way.
Meanwhile hundreds of shopkeepers participated in the protest rally organized by the Old City traders here in Alamgiri Bazar area. The Shaher-e-Khaas Trader Coordination Committee had given the protest call over the abrogation of Article 35-A.
Shaher-e-Khaas Trader Coordination Committee Chairman Nazir Ahmed Shah in his address said the business community was ready to sacrifice everything for the safeguard of the Article 35-A as it pertains to the very existence of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Scores of other senior leaders also spoke on the occasion and pitched for the unity among the traders over safeguarding the Article 35-A.
They also reiterated support for future strategy of the resistance leadership with regard to the collective efforts to safeguard Article 35 A.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in several areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir against the petitions challenging Article 35-A.
The shutdown call was given by All Party Coordination Committee (APCC) against what they termed as attack on Article 35-A
Amid shutdown, a protest rally was also carried out in Gujjar Mandi area of Rajouri town.
Reports said that the protests were held in Thanamandi, Majakote, Mendhar Tehsil, Surankote, Mandi and Poonch town against the abrogation of Article 35-A.
Meanwhile, a top police official said that the situation across the Valley remained by and large peaceful throughout the day. (KNS)