Srinagar, March 28
While life came to grinding halt across the Kashmir valley, the police lobbed tear-gas shells and cane-charged demonstrators here who were protesting against the US invasion of Iraq. Today’s general strike for the second consecutive day was in response to a call given by a militant outfit, the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, and the local unit of the J&K High Court Bar Association.

Demonstrators took to the streets protesting against the US attack on Iraq after the Friday prayers this afternoon. The police lobbed tear-gas shells near the main mosque, Jamia Masjid, in Nowhatta, Dalgate and the Maisuma localities where the youth took to the streets amid a total bandh. Several demonstrators were injured in the police action, while some of them have been taken into preventive custody.

All shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. The impact of the general strike was more today as compared to yesterday. Most branches of various banks also remained closed today in response to the call for the strike amid apprehensions of violent incidents.

It was for the fourth day that life was affected in the Kashmir valley in protest against the Iraq war.

Hundreds of people held a procession from Sayed Sahib shrine at Sonawar to the local office of the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) where Muslim Auqaf Trust vice-chairman G.N. Kochak submitted a memorandum demanding an end to the war.

Peaceful protest demonstrations after Friday prayers were reported from Kupwara, Baramula in north, Anantnag and Pulwama in south and Badgam in central Kashmir.