Normal life went out of gear in Kashmir Valley on Monday following a shutdown called by traders’ organisations and separatists against the assaults on truckers on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway last week. They alleged that it was an attempt to enforce economic-blockade on Kashmir and divide the region on communal lines.
Shops, business establishments, educational institutions, banks and courts remained shut while public transport was off the roads. It may be mentioned that three Kashmiri truckers from south Kashmir were attacked in two separate incidents near Udhampur last week and abortive attempt was made to torch a truck. The authorities, meanwhile, claimed that five miscreants had been arrested while manhunt had been launched to track down the kingpin of one of the attacks.
Two truckers with severe burn injuries were airlifted to Delhi for specialised treatment on Monday afternoon from Jammu. Another trucker Sayyar Ahmad, who had been attacked by a mob, reached Qazigund where protests erupted when he narrated his woeful tale. DGP K Ranjindra said an FIR had been registered in Ahmad’s case and investigations had been initiated.
Senior Minister in Mufti Sayeed’s Cabinet Abdur Rahman Veeri on Saturday last assured in J&K Assembly that stern action would be taken against those involved in attack on truckers. The Opposition NC staged walkout against the incident and alleged failure of the Government to take actions against the culprits.
People and activists of different separatist organisations staged protests at many places across Kashmir against the incidents on Monday even as youth clashed with police and paramilitary personnel.
Dozens of lawyers also staged a protest outside court complex. Police arrested several separatist activists when they attempted to march towards lal Chowk, the nerve center of Srinagar. Both factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKlF and several trade unions had called for the shutdown.
They described the attacks on truckers as part of communal agenda to weaken Kashmir’s economy at a time when Kashmiri apples were being transported out of Valley.