Kashmiris protest against shutdown calls of separatists in Valley

SRINAGAR - A large number of local residents in Srinagar took to streets in protest of frequent shutdown calls given by the separatists and curfew restrictions imposed by the administration over the past four months.

The Valley has been intermittently under curfew, strikes, protest for months, claiming more than 100 lives in the clash between security forces and stone pelters.

The slogans-shouting protester said that their lives have been thrown out of the gear due to disturbances. In particular, they mentioned the daily wage earners have been the worst hit.

“The normal lives of the people have been hit badly. The present situation has ruined our lives. This curfew has disturbed our lives. People have committing crimes by calling for strikes and clashes. We are unable to work. We want to lead a peaceful life,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local.

The protestors also slammed separatist outfit Hurriyat Conference and its leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for his failure to resolve the Kashmir issue with a pragmatic approach.

“We want to tell them (Hurriyat), especially Geelani, why are poor people suffering? Why they don’t come on streets as we have come? Why they don’t want to solve the Kashmir dispute?” said Shabnum, another local. (ANI)