Strike cripples Indian Kashmir
The two-day stoppage, called by groups opposed to Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region, closed businesses, schools and banks in the main city Srinagar and other towns.
"The strike is to demand the release of political prisoners who have been languishing in jails for years without any justification," said Ayaz Akbar, a spokesman for hardline leader Syed Ali Geelani.
Geelani, who favours the region's accession to Pakistan, has been under almost constant house arrest for the past year, with the authorities accusing him of seeking to incite violence.
In a statement on Tuesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said endless strikes and stoppages were having an irreversible impact on the education of young Kashmiris.
"It is the duty of all of us to keep education away from all conflicts, disturbances and politics to safeguard the future of the state," Abdullah said.
Losses on "development fronts can be retrieved but the gaps occurring in education remain unfilled for ever," he added.
The separatist-led strike coincided with a wage-related stoppage by government employees.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed in its entirety by both.
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@GetRidOfFeudalPolitics: man,, they want their life
@Khan:
You seem to not have observed the modern-India. Elections are serious business here, with an independent Election Commission. Only if they stand for elections we will know who is on whose side.
@GetRidOfFeudalPolitics
Well, not really. What I have said makes a lot of sense. It's actually simple common sense.
If my house is burning, I would take care of it before I fix my neighbor's broken window.
Now, tell me if you are not the one to grow up.
@narayana murthy:
stuck in the same childish mindset. Anyone questions your actions. you launch irrelevant attacks on them. Grow up.
@GetRidOfFeudalPolitics: "Then how come everything was closed down? ..." How do you know it is not a coerced shut down? Those who would open don't want to do so at the cost of a slashed jugular. All non-Muslims have been purged out of Srinagar and even if they had not been, they wouldn't have dared to open because they would be in a minority. *"I’m beginning to seriously doubt the authenticity of your claims that 80 % came out to vote in the last elections." Does it matter one bit what you believe or what you doubt?
Seems you guys have become experts at dealing with separatist movements with force and manipulation, as you have dealt with so many since 47.* Has any succeeded? What does that tell you?
@Realist who says "Freedom For Kashmiris!"
If I were you, I would pray for "freedom for Pakistanis" from corruption, army's control, shortage of food/water/electricity/jobs, failing (or is it failed) economy, ethnic violence, sectarian violence, stranglehold of mullahs, failure of health-care/education system, gun violence, terrorism, suicide bombers, fake televangelists, conspiracy theorists, dependence on China/Saudi/IMF/US, falling respect and a failing country.
@Realist.: Impossible....
Freedom For Kashmiris!
@Khan:
What an excellent reply. And great to see the article you refer to.
"the Indian media now acts in concert with the government "to deny any legitimacy to protests in Kashmir""
I implore all my Indian friends to introspect.
@R S JOHAR: Some people will never change on both side of the border unfortunately no matter how much we try ... after all it is same area ..if we go two miles to the east of the border and you will find people saying every thing in Kashmir is Pakistan's conspiracy despite the fact that over 80,000 people have died there ... Go a few miles to the west of the border and some people will think every thing in Pakistan is because India et all and not because of ourselves ... closing our eyes will make things worse ... all of these issues we have can only be fixed if we accept the fact that we are to be blamed for these problems to some extend at least and only then we can find way of treating our ills.. even cancer can only be treated if diagnosed in time. I really hope all of these problems in sub continent are solved and we can live peacefully just like European countries, and can use our energies for betterment of the people of this area and stop fighting and arguing on all issues like illiterate dumb fighting in street. @BruteForce: I agree ... they should stand in election if they have majority of support in IHK, form a government, then just like Scottish SNP can get a referendum on what they really want but the question is, Is central government and agencies going to let them have free election in that situation just like they did in the UK, I really doubt that as people of Sub-continent are very immature and we would be lucky if our third generation even get that level of maturity. Evolution makes sense to some extent when comparing human growth in different races. I read the news regarding MMS & Musharraf deal on ToI and 90% of people in comments section were calling him traitor etc .. even though that deal didn't say anything about giving part of Kashmir to Pakistan or any thing like that ... It seems fair deal to let people on both side of LoC for self rule. its like a win win situation. Neither me nor those who's blood was boiling due to that story are going to get any thing good from this fist fighting ... rather we all indirectly suffer to these pathetic issues. @ashok sai: Glad you know about hidden deals .. Could you please tell me if The Guardian UK is also on ISI's payroll ? as they published this article about Kashmir some times back and also if the Indian author was also on payroll? http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/aug/14/silence-over-kashmir-conflict
@GetRidOfFeudalPolitics to Paras Vikmani
Dear, don't think Srinagar alone represents entire Kashmir.
@Paras Vikmani: My dear, ET has always been fair to us and with a free and vibrant press in both countries, one should'nt look to hide what is happening in Kashmir or any other part of India.
I think ET got an order from the ISI to publish Kashmir based stories every day, tomorrow there will be a story "Kashmir back to normal aftermath strikes".
@Paras Vikmani: Didn't you guys say no body supported separatists anymore. Then how come everything was closed down? I'm beginning to seriously doubt the authenticity of your claims that 80 % came out to vote in the last elections. Seems you guys have become experts at dealing with separatist movements with force and manipulation, as you have dealt with so many since 47.
This guy Geelani is selfish. What about the thousands of Kashmiri youths who will not go to school during these strikes?
He wants the kids to go back to stone-age, like his compatriots across the border in Pakistan want when they blow up schools.
You ask them to stand for elections, then NOOOOO! They cant do that, as it is against their belief in the Caliphate. They dont want to prove their support, but just claim that they have popular support.
No doubt this news is there only on ET! :P