Kashmir shuts on JRL call amid polling in three North Kashmir distts of Bla parl constituency

Srinagar: Amid tight security in view of the commencement of parliamentary polls in Jammu and Kashmir, a complete shutdown observed across the Valley on Thursday to protest against the elections.
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhamamd Yasin Malik had called for a complete shutdown in view of the elections. They had also appealed people to boycott the elections.
Reports said the government in view of the polls had also announced official holiday today. In view of the elections, the authorities had heightened the security across the Valley to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls.
The first phase of seven phased parliamentary elections commenced today. The two Lok Sabha constituencies including Baramulla and Jammu-Udhampur went for the polls today. All the shops and business establishments remained closed throughout the day while as the vehicular movement was also thin on the roads.
The train service was also suspended in the Valley. An official said that the train service was suspended for the day as ‘security reasons’. Meanwhile, the mobile internet services were also suspended in north Kashmir and also in south Kashmir where polling was conducted. The services remained suspended when the report was last filed.
A police officer said that the day passed off peacefully and there was no untoward incident anywhere in Kashmir. “There were no reports of any law and order situation in any part of Kashmir,” he said.