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Kashmir downs shutters for anti-Budget bandh

Shops and business establishments in the valley remained closed today in view of the bandh called in protest against the ''anti-poor'' state budget and alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The bandh call was given by the newly-formed People's Forum for Justice, an amalgam of trade unions, transport association, employees unions and the bar association.

Traffic was mainly off the road. However, some government transport buses plied on selected routes in the uptown localities with just few passengers.

Government offices, ration depots, petrol pumps and educational institutions wore a deserted look.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Kupwara and Handwara.

Traders and bar association members took out a procession in Baramulla and raised anti-government slogans. They were cane-charged at Bazar Chowk and about 30 of them were taken into custody for defying prohibitory orders.

The budget, presented by the National Conference government headed by Farooq Abdullah on March 4, has evoked widespread resentment.

UNI

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