WHY DO KASHMIRIS HATE INDIA?
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir Thursday observed a complete shutdown to protest Indian President's visit to the troubled region.
The shutdown call was given by region's hardline separatist alliance Hurriyat (freedom) Conference, headed by Syed Ali Geelani. He stated shutdown will be a reminder to the visiting Indian President that New Delhi was militarily occupying the disputed territory and yet to fulfill the promises its leaders made Kashmiris.
The shutdown call was also supported by students, lawyers and militant groups.
The President of Indian Pranab Mukherje arrived in region's summer capital-Srinagar Wednesday evening on a three-day visit. He held meetings with Indian controlled Kashmir Governor, N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on his arrival, a government spokesman said.
Mukherje presided over the convocation of University of Kashmir and handed over academic degrees to the meritorious students. He will also be inspecting the work of the Dal Lake conservation project aided by New Delhi. Dal Lake in Srinagar is famous world over for its houseboats.
Authorities have beefed up security apparatus in the city ahead of this high-profile visit. Fearing clashes in Srinagar city and in the vicinity of university campus, hundreds of paramilitary troopers and policemen were deployed in full-riot gear.
"Since Thursday morning the police and paramilitary troopers have been deployed to thwart any militant attack and also to disallow protest demonstrations in and around university," said a police official posted in city.
Businesses, shops, educational institutions remained closed in wake of the strike call. The attendance in government offices and banks remained affected. Vehicular traffic also remained off the roads except some police vehicles, official cavalcades and private vehicles were seen plying on the otherwise deserted roads.
Similar reports were received from other districts of the region.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris and separatists have been demanding end of New Delhi's rule in the region.