The Kashmir Valley observed a total shutdown on Saturday after a call by Hurriyat Conference to protest against the new land laws notified ...
The Kashmir Valley observed a total shutdown on Saturday after a call by Hurriyat Conference to protest against the new land laws notified by the Centre for the Union Territory, reported PTI.
On October 27, the Ministry of Home Affairs had notified new land laws for Jammu and Kashmir. The amended laws allow any Indian citizen to buy land in the region, sparking fears among locals as it was earlier meant only for permanent residents under Article 370 of the Constitution. The Centre’s notification stated that the term “being permanent resident of the state” as a criteria has been “omitted”.
Shops, petrol pumps, and other businesses were shut in Srinagar, an unidentified official said. Public transport also largely remained off the roads, but private cars and auto-rickshaws were plying in certain areas.
Security personnel were stationed in large numbers in vulnerable areas of Srinagar and across the Valley. A shutdown was observed in north Kashmir’s Sopore, Kupwara, Handwara, Bandipore, and other areas, reported The Indian Express. In south Kashmir, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Pampore were among the areas that were observing shutdown.
On Wednesday, the Hurriyat had issued a call for the shutdown. It said that the laws are being amended and “thrust upon” the people of Jammu and Kashmir one after the other.
“Rather than...
