Chenab valley shuts over trucker’s death

Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar national highway halted; train services affected

Members of the majority community observed a shutdown in Doda, Kishtwar and Banihal towns on Monday in protest against the death of Kashmir-based trucker Zahid Rasool Bhat, who succumbed to injuries received in the petrol bomb attack in Udhampur on October 9.

Supporting the call given by Anjuman Islamia Doda, all business establishments of the majority community remained closed in Doda district. The protesters took out a peaceful demonstration and demanded strict punishment for the attackers.

The procession passed through various markets of Doda, with protesters carrying banners and raising slogans against saffron organisations and the state government.

Members of the majority community in Kishtwar organised a protest in Kishtwar over the death and demanded strict action against those involved in the attack.

The protesters demanded strict action against those involved in the attack.Reports from Ramban said no vehicle was allowed to proceed beyond Jawahar Tunnel from 10 pm on Sunday night in view of the shutdown call of separatist groups. Train services were disrupted as only two trains were allowed to proceed towards Srinagar and three reached Banihal from Srinagar.

Railway sources said after the departure of trains at 6:40 am and 8 am from Banihal, the train which arrived from Srinagar at 9 am was not allowed the return journey reportedly following directions of the divisional administration.

Police sources said the decision was taken in view of the commotion and bandh in the Kashmir valley following death of the trucker.

Shops and business establishments remained closed on Monday in Banihal town while hundreds of irate youths took out a procession in the market braving the downpour. No untoward incident was reported from any part of Ramban district.

Movement of Srinagar-bound vehicles, particularly trucks and those not from Kashmir, was restricted on Sunday afternoon. The authorities stopped the movement of all vehicles towards the Valley at night.

Consequently, hundreds of Srinagar-bound vehicles, mostly trucks, were stranded at various places between Udhampur and Banihal.