Kashmir shuts on India’s Republic Day

Srinagar, Jan 26: Kashmir Tuesday observed a complete shutdown for the consecutive 26th year on India’s Republic Day with authorities placing stringent security arrangements to thwart any protest or militant attack in the region.
All the shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps remained closed across Valley while public and private transport was also off the roads. All the roads in the city, which otherwise remain abuzz with traffic, wore a deserted look throughout the day. The authorities, unlike past, had not imposed restrictions in the City, but additional number of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personal had been deployed in Civil Lines areas including Jawahar Nagar, Hazoori Bagh, Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Batamaloo and other areas.
The call for shutdown was forwarded by almost all the separatist groups and was supported by militant outfits like Hizbul Mujhadeen and Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Eyewitnesses told local News agency that all the roads leading to Bakshi Stadium, the venue for Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, were sealed by security men till function was over.Officials said the Republic Day functions across the valley passed off peacefully with no incident of militant violence. They added that no law and order situation arose in any part of the valley.
Besides Srinagar city, complete shutdown was also observed in all the districts of North, South and Central Kashmir where India’s Republic Day functions were organized amid tight security.
Meanwhile, mobile Internet services were snapped as the authorities feared that the misuse of services during the R-Day functions may invite trouble.The broadband services, however, were not affected due to these curbs. The services were suspended at around 9 am on Tuesday. Every year on Aug 15 and Jan 26, authorities suspend the services in what has now become part of an ‘e-curfew’ on these days.