Kashmir was shut on Friday. The latest strike in what has otherwise turned to be a standard pursuit of the politically-uptight population over the years was, for a change, observed against an issue not correlated to the Valley’s familiar rancour.
Kashmir Economic Alliance had asked the people to strike their work against the LPG cap and the Jammu and Kashmir’s government’s “callousness” in addressing the issue. It sought an increase in the number of subsidised LPG cylinders in the Valley on the plea that it is not only economically deprived but also the hardships faced by the majority of its over six million population are expected to augment in the coming winter season.
The strike call supported by various organisations, including the Kashmir bar council, was obeyed by majority of the people resulting in closure of shops and other businesses and educational institutions for the day. Also, skeleton public transport services plied on select routes and elsewhere only private cars and ambulances apart from the vehicles of the security forces could be seen on the roads. The attendance recorded in government offices was thin. At Omarabad on the outskirts of Srinagar, people blocked the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Road to protest against the LPG cap. Stone-pelting incidents and clashes between angry crowds and the police were reported from central Srinagar areas, including Bohuri Kadal and Rajwari Kadal.