Strike cripples life in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 21: Life came to a standstill in Kashmir valley on Thursday following a shutdown to mark the death anniversaries of two Hurriyet leaders, Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone.

Indian armed agents assassinated Mirwaiz Moulana Mohammad Farooq, former chief priest of the region in 1990 at his residence in Srinagar. Whereas the All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader, Abdul Ghani Lone was killed on this day in 2002. Shops and businesses were shut and public transport was off the roads in Srinagar and other towns in the valley.

Thousands of Hurriyat activists marched Rajouri Kadal in old city.

People gathered at prayer houses to offer homage to the dead leaders.

"Today, people observed their death anniversary and so this strike has been called. People gathered at the Idgah and offered homage to them," said Shabir Ahmed, a resident.