Srinagar: General strike on the third consecutive day on Thursday paralysed life in the Kashmir valley, where people are protesting the gutting of 18th century revered shrine of Peer Dastgeer, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani at Khanyar in the downtown in a mysterious fire on June 25 morning.
The government has already ordered an enquiry to go into the circumstances leading to the fire incident. However, almost all religious, separatist and mainstream parties have already rejected the government probe and demanded inquiry by an independent body.
Shops and business establishments remained in the civil lines, uptown and outskirts for the third day on Thursday in the summer capital Srinagar.
However, the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) remained under curfew restrictions since June 26 morning.
The strike call was given by a number of religious organisations, who have rejected the inquiry by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
On Thursday more private vehicles were seen on the roads in the civil lines and uptown as compared to previous two days.
A number of passenger vehicles are also plying while the three wheelers had yet again field day on Thursday, charging more from the passengers.
Educational institutions wore a deserted look as students and teaching staff stayed away in protest against the fire incident.
However, in uptown some private lower schools were functioning though the attendance was very less.
Work in government offices, banks and other institutions was also badly affected as employees in curfew bound areas were asked to remain indoor while in other areas of the city they could not make it in the absence of transport service.
After witnessing a near normal situation yesterday, life was again thrown out of gear in district and tehsil headquarters in the Kashmir valley on Thursday.
A report from Baramulla said business and other activities came to halt in this and other north Kashmir towns and tehsil headquarters.
Shops and business establishments remained closed and work in government offices, banks and educational institutions was again affected. Transport was also off the roads. However, some private vehicles were plying.
After a clash between security forces and demonstrators at Anantnag, where people were protesting against the arrest of some youths yesterday, a complete shut down was on Thursday observed with all shops and business establishments remained closed.
Traffic was also off the road and work in government offices and financial institutions was affected. Educational institutions also remained shut.
Similar reports were also received from other parts of the Kashmir valley. (UNI)
