SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Normal life in the Muslim majority areas of the restive India-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday remained affected due to a strike on the custodial death of a school teacher.
The call for strike was given by the region's separatist groups under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).
"People of Kashmir have borne tremendous hardships and suffering for the last three decades especially, all because they are asking for an end to the conflict through peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the people's wishes but instead people are being crushed," a statement issued by JRL said.
On Tuesday, 28-year-old Rizwan Pandit, a school teacher died in police custody at CARGO camp in Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.
Pandit was picked by police a few days back from his house at Awantipora town of Pulwama district, about 30 km south of Srinagar. His death triggered protests and clashes in his hometown, following which authorities suspended mobile internet service in Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam and Srinagar districts.
All shops, business establishments, educational institutions and private offices remained closed in Srinagar.
Attendance in government offices and banks were also affected to a large extent in wake of the call.
Similar reports were received from district headquarters and major towns.
Public transport remained off the roads and streets wore a deserted look. However, some private vehicles were seen plying.
Meanwhile, authorities imposed restrictions in sensitive areas. Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in these areas to maintain law and order.
"The situation across the region remained peaceful and no untoward incident has taken place," a police official said.
Pandit's death has evoked widespread condemnation from the pro-India political parties and separatist groups. The local government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into his death.
A guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule has been going on in India-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
