Day marked with heavy clashes, protests.
Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed in the Kashmir valley in response to the Anti-Islamic film which surfaced on the internet just a few days ago. Strike was observed when Hurriyat (G) Chairman SAS Geelani and Pro-freedom leader and Chairman of World Islamic Students League (WISL) Jameel Ahmad War had called to observe a complete shutdown on 18th Sept to protest the making of this blasphemous movie .The strike call was also been given by an amalgam of religious parties. Schools, shops, business establishments and fuel stations were completely closed due to the strike
As per reports there have been protests and few stone pelting incidents throughout the length and breadth of the Kashmir Valley throughout the day. Main towns apart from Srinagar like, Baramulla, Pattan, sopore, Anantnag, Pulwama & Shopian also witnessed a complete strike with no moment of vehicular traffic on roads.
Pertinently, the protests were more intense In the afternoon as a huge procession was desperate to move towards the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOGIP) to submit a memorandum against the film – a routine that evolved in last more than 20 years, the police stopped them. It triggered a massive clash in which the mob set afire a government owned gypsy. As police charged, the mob resorted to stone pelting, attacking the official residence of deputy chief minister Tara Chand and Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad.
In nutshell, the valley wore a deserted look as public and private transport remained off the roads. Only a few private vehicles were seen plying on the roads. Peaceful protests against the movie were held in other parts of the valley. (KMW News)