Protests in Srinagar as EC reviews poll preparations

SRINAGAR: Life in Kashmir Valley came to a grinding halt on Monday due to a bandh called by separatists in protest against Election Commission's move to decide the date for Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Stone-pelting by some local residents was reported from Nowhatta area of Srinagar. Shops and other business establishments, educational and semi-government institutions remained closed, while attendance in government offices was thin, official sources said.

All modes of transport were off the roads in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley and work in banks and courts was affected. The bandh was called as the EC convened a meeting of leaders of all political parties in New Delhi to assess the situation in the state in the wake of the recent violence over Amarnath land row.

The coordination committee of separatists had on Sunday announced a month-long programme including two general strikes and a call for march to Lal Chowk to press for implementation of right to self-determination in the state. Political parties differ on Assembly poll dates

Political parties on Monday voiced divergent views at meetings with the Election Commission to decide on the timing of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) said it would oppose any move of holding the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir now as situation in the state was not conducive for polls.

The four-member National Conference delegation led by Omar Abdullah told the Commission that it was not against the democratic process but holding of polls in the current situation "will have serious ramification internationally also.

While BJP and the Left parties demanded that elections be held on schedule by November end, the NCP and Panthers Party wanted delimitation to be done first before finalising the date. Congress, however, steered clear of the issue leaving it to the EC to decide the timing. A decision to call leaders of seven national parties and three state parties was taken last week by the Commission as the Governor's rule in the state ends on January 10.