Srinagar: A complete shutdown amid polling for Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency comprising three north Kashmir districts Baramulla Kupwara and Bandipora hit normal life across Kashmir.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq and JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik called for shut down to protest against polling for first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir , NIA action against Hurriyat Conference leaders and their kins, alleged assault by police and other security men on jail inmates at Srinagar Central Jail and two day weekly closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway for the civilian traffic. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has asked people to boycott polling and observe total shutdown in poll bound areas in seven different phases of Lok Sabha elections.
Reports said shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and attendance in government and private offices was thin. Public transport remained off the roads across Kashmir but some private vehicles could be seen plying the roads in the city, said the witnesses.
Polling is being held Thursday for Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency where 13,12 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of nine candidates in the fray.
The officials said the situation across the valley was so far peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. (KNS)
