Shutdown against panchayat polls on JRL call hits normal life across Kashmir

Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir valley called by the Joint Resistance Leadership against the Panchayat polls being held today.
All shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in commercial hub of Lal Chowk in Srinagar city while public transport also remained off the roads. A skeletal movement of private transport was seen on the roads.
At least 47 panchayat blocks went to the polls in the first phase on Saturday in a nine-phased election process.
The ongoing election will be held in 16 blocks in Kashmir, 21 blocks in Jammu and 10 in Ladakh region. The two major parties of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have decided to stay away from the electoral exercise.
A complete shutdown was also being observed in other districts of the valley as shops and business establishments are shut while traffic is off the roads.
The security had been heightened across the valley to stop any untoward incident, in capital city Srinagar a complete shutdown was observed even as the movement of public transport is skeletal.