Separatist shutdown hits life in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, April 7 (IANS) Life here and elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley was hit Saturday by a shutdown called by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani against the conviction of Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai i the US.

Shops, businesses, public transport and classes in educational institutions remained suspended because of the shutdown in the city.

Banks, post offices and government offices, however, functioned here but attendance was thin due to non-availability of public transport.

Private transport and some three-wheelers plied on the city roads.

Reports from Baramulla, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Badgam and Bandipora also indicated the shutdown had affected normal life.

The authorities deployed riot police in Srinagar and other towns of the valley. Fai was charged in the US with spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.