IN PIX: Strike paralyses life in Kashmir

Life across Kashmir Valley was paralysed in view of a protest shutdown and security restrictions following anger and tension triggered by the gutting of the revered shrine of Peer Dastageer Sahib on Monday.

Authorities put in place heavy security bandobast in the entire summer capital of Srinagar and imposed curfew-like restrictions in the old city to stymie protests.

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No movement was allowed in the areas falling under the five police stations of the old city where security forces have blocked roads with concertina wires.

The old city areas witnessed incidents of heavy stone pelting on Monday, a spill over of anger and resentment with groups of youth clashing with the security forces till late evening.

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The clashes were triggered immediately after the historic revered shrine of Peer Dastageer Sahib was gutted in a blaze.

Wailing women also joined the protests near the gutted shrine.

Both groups of the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other religious groups had called for Tuesday's shutdown which has put life out of gear in the Valley.

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All shops, businesses are shut and private and public transport is off the road.

Attendance in government offices was also affected. The strike also shut educational institutions in capital Srinagar and other towns.

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The state government has already ordered a high-level probe to identify the cause of fire.

"It is a tragic incident. The government has ordered an inquiry by the divisional commissioner of Kashmir into the unfortunate incident to ascertain the cause of fire," Ali Mohammad Sagar, minister for law and parliamentary affairs said.

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