Separatists call bandh in Kashmir to protest poll dates

PEACEFUL BANDH: No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the Valley.

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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.

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.

Sources said no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the Valley.

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 the Amarnath land row.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, too, said that the state was not ready for elections and the government must create a conducive environment if it wanted elections to be held on time.

"At this point in time, elections in the state will have serious ramification internationally. There are serious concerns over extent to which voter will participate in the election and about the polarisation of people in Jammu," Omar said.

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.

Police and paramilitary forces in riot gear have been deployed in large numbers across the city to tackle any law and order situation, officials added.

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