A general strike against the 'excesses and unjust arrests' by police, affected normal life all across occupied Kashmir Valley. The strike call was given by Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and was supported by a number of other pro-freedom organisations.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed in city centre Srinagar, while life was also affected in almost all the major districts of the occupied Valley. Reports from Bandipora, Baramulla and Sopore said that roads wore a deserted look while police had made elaborative arrangements to thwart the protests. Shutdown was also observed in Anantnag, Tral, Shopian, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and other parts of occupied Kashmir.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani had threatened government by saying 'if raids, arrests and atrocities does not stop till 13 May, we will issue a disciplined programme'. In civil lines and uptown areas of Srinagar, the shutdown call evoked mixed response. At several places in civil lines, some shops were open while public and private transport was also plying normally. Though the shops were closed in Lal Chowk the city centre but vendors were doing their business as usual.
The government offices and banks recorded thin attendance but functioned normally. Authorities had kept an additional police and paramilitary forces ready to tackle protesters. The shutdown was also observed in other parts of valley. However, public transport was plying normally on various routes. There were no reports of protests or clashes from any part of the valley and situation remained peaceful throughout the day. While reiterating his demand for immediate release of the detainees, Geelani alleged: "the government is deliberately extending the unwanted and unjust detention of pro-freedom leaders, youth and police and army have been set free for rioting and damaging the public property to disturb the peaceful environment."
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