Valley on strike, newspapers back on stands

Prohibitory orders clamped following lifting of curfew remained in force in Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir Valley on Monday even as normal life was affected in the wake of a strike called by separatists to protest against recent preventive detentions.

There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the Valley. Shops and business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and transport was off the roads.

The hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by jailed leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had given the strike call.

Official sources said over 150 youth were detained during the past fortnight for indulging in violence, including stone pelting.

Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is under house arrest since Saturday after he tried to lead a protest demonstration in the old city of Srinagar.

After the lifting of curfew in the Valley on Sunday, prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC were clamped in parts of old city and other major towns in Kashmir as a precautionary measure.

Police and paramilitary troops were patrolling the streets to maintain order.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has convened an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss the situation in Kashmir. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has decided against attending it.

All the 12 recognised political parties and groups have been invited for the meeting.

Curfew was imposed in the Valley on Tuesday last after protests over the killing of some youths in alleged firing by security forces.

Newspapers back on stands

Newspapers in Kashmir resumed publication on Monday after remaining shut for four days in protest against alleged curbs on the media in the wake of last Tuesday's violence.

Media organisations decided to resume publication after an assurance from the state government on Monday that the curfew passes issued to journalists would be duly entertained by the security agencies.