Confusing situation prevailed in Kashmir on Monday as some parts observed shutdown, others witnessed restrictions by authorities and the rest remained open and normal throughout the day.

The shutdown was called by the Kashmir Inc, to protest against the summoning of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) president, Muhammad Yasin Khan by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to its headquarter in New Delhi for questioning. Khan was asked to present himself for questioning on Sep 25.

The shutdown call was supported by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.

Reports said that authorities imposed restrictions in Srinagar parts falling under the jurisdiction of five Police Stations including Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safakadal as a precautionary measure.

Witnesses said that Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in strength on the roads in restriction bound areas while all the roads were blocked by the authorities by erecting concertina wires.

The restrictions according to the officials were imposed to thwart any possible protest against the summoning of Yasin Khan by the NIA.

Besides, shops and other business establishments, various offices remained closed in the commercial Hub Lal Chowk while the vehicular movement was also thin on roads.

In many parts of Srinagar life was normal as the shops and business establishments remained open.

Witnesses said that the civil lines and other localities in the city were normal as traffic plied normally.

Meanwhile, the valley traders held sit-in at Srinagar’s Pratap Park today to protest NIA summon to Yasin Khan.

The protesters amid anti-NIA sloganeering were demanding an immediate end to NIA ‘harassment’.

They termed the NIA summon to Yasin Khan as ‘an attack on Valley traders’ and said that they will continue their protest until the KTMF president will be released.

Guest