Shutdown in Kashmir Valley on Republic Day

SRINAGAR: Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic remained off the roads in most parts of the Valley in response to a strike called by hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatists in support of resolution of Kashmir issue.

Geelani appealed to people to boycott the Republic Day celebrations saying, "India has deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their basic rights. Participating in its Republic Day celebrations has no meaning at all".

The Hurriyat hawk also called for boycott of the 2014 elections.

"Those who value the sacrifices given by martyrs don't vote and there is no logic in protesting against killings and simultaneously going for voting," he said.

However, shops in some pockets of the civil lines areas of the city and in rural areas of the Valley remained open in defiance of the shutdown call.

The effect of the strike was accentuated due to the strict security arrangements in place for Republic Day celebrations.

Chilly weather conditions also kept people indoors.