Valley shuts on JRL call against municipal elections

Srinagar: A complete shutdown was Monday observed across the Valley against the commencement of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The shutdown call was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik in a joint statement.
Amid heightened security, the Municipal polls in the state began on Monday. The elections in the state will be conducted in four phases.
Witnesses said that tight security was also put in place across the Valley in view of the polls. They said that government forces as well as Jammu and Kashmir police had laid nakas at various places during which the commuters especially the bikers were being stopped and were asked for the documents.
Police said that the elections in the Valley were conducted smoothly.
Following the call given by JRL, all the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps were closed while as the traffic was also thin on the roads.
However, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house detention on Sunday while as Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief; Muhammad Yasin Malik was detained a few days ago.
Scores of other pro-freedom leaders, activists and workers were also detained by the police.
Notably, the government offices also remained closed in view of the official holiday ordered by the state administration.
However, unlike other days, a top police officer said that no restriction was imposed in any part of the Valley to ensure hassle-free movement to voters.
Meanwhile, the speed of internet services was also reduced across the Valley as ‘a precautionary measure’.
The mobile internet speed was reduced to 128 kbps.
Reports said that at some places, the mobile internet services were suspended.
Meanwhile, train services were also suspended for security reasons in the Valley, on the first phase of ULB polls.
A senior railway official said that “we have suspended all the train services in Kashmir as ‘security reasons’.
Meanwhile, a top police official complimented Jammu & Kashmir Police and other forces and people for ensuing incident free polls on Monday. “The situation barring some minor stone pelting incidents remained peaceful throughout the day,” he said, adding that the elections ended peacefully and smoothly.
He also said that unprecedented security arrangements were also put in place in view of the elections.