Students in Srinagar were seen walking to their respective schools on Thursday morning, after a day of shutdown in Jammu & Kashmir, with all educational institutions closed and traffic shut on the road. Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar.
The shutdown was in protest against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam that left at least 26 dead on Tuesday. The popular tourist hub of Pahalgam looked like a ghost town, with businesses shut and no vehicles on the roads. Similarly, Srinagar — including its old city areas — was deserted.
Security has been beefed up across the valley, especially at vital tourist spots.
The effect of the shutdown was also witnessed in the other district headquarters of the valley. Peaceful protests were also held at several places in the valley, with the protestors denouncing the attack. They called for a stop to the killing of innocent people.
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Several political parties, socio-religious organisations, trade bodies, and civil society groups called for a shutdown in Kashmir to protest against the attack in Baisaran meadows of the Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Kashmir's trade and tourism bodies, including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, had also called for a shutdown. As a mark of respect and solidarity with the victims and their families, the Private Schools' Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) announced the closure of all private schools across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled on Wednesday.