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Strike against Hindu killings paralyses J&K

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

A general strike called by the Kashmir Passenger Transporters Welfare Association against the killing of five Hindu truck drivers near Qazigund crippled normal life in the state Thursday.

The Kashmir Traders Association had also supported the call.

Thursday's strike closed shops and business establishments across the valley. Transport remained off the roads.

Schools and colleges, which had reopened only Wednesday, banks, and state and central government offices remained closed.

Reports from other towns and villages said the strike evoked complete response. Government offices were closed and markets deserted.

Security across the valley was tight. Troops were seen patrolling the deserted streets of Srinagar.

The leaders of the separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone condemned the killing of the drivers on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

In a statement they said, "By resorting to such killings some elements are trying to sabotage the ongoing movement."

Meanwhile, two Border Security Force personnel were among the four persons killed on Wednesday at Bandipore in north Kashmir.

Police said BSF soldiers raided a house and came under heavy fire from militants hiding there. The two personnel died on the spot.

Two foreign militants were killed in retaliatory fire. Two civilians and a soldier were injured. The troops later blasted the house.

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