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Indian-controlled Kashmir sees shutdown to protest alleged government apathy on first flood anniversary

Xinhua, September 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Life across Muslim majority areas of India-controlled Kashmir Monday remained paralyzed due to a shutdown call given by trade bodies to protest what it termed the apathy of Indian government towards the region's flood affected.

The call was supported by separatist groups and some pro-India parties including National Conference.

Authorities fearing protest demonstrations from traders on the anniversary of devastating floods imposed restrictions and laid coils of concertina wire in Lal Chowk (red square) - the city center and business hub to thwart protests.

Police detained over a dozen trade leaders as they tried to assemble near the city center to stage protests against the alleged failure of government in rehabilitating the flood victims including the business community.

"Our chairman Showkat Chowdhary was arrested in the wee hours today and lodged at Police Station Zakura," a statement issued by Kashmir Economic Alliance, a coalition of trade bodies said. "We had announced to assemble at Lalchowk and protest against the anti- Kashmir policies of regional and federal government."

Authorities had also placed region's separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.

Shops, business and schools remained closed in wake of the shutdown. Public transport was off the roads.

The shutdown affected working in government offices and banks in Srinagar and other districts.

The floods in September 2014 in Indian-controlled Kashmir were described as "worst in a century" by the local government and as per its estimates the region suffered a loss of 16 billion U.S. dollars.

The floods, according to officials, killed 300 people.

According to a non-governmental organization, 300,000 houses were damaged in floods, besides 100,000 shops and business establishments.

The local newspapers decried the government help to the region' s flood victims on the eve of anniversary by carrying out front page editorials. It also ran stories highlighting government apathy in providing relief to flood victims. Endi