Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps also remained shut, while the Government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance.
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Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full.
They have also asked people to observe half-an-hour “blackout” from 8:30 pm by switching off all bulbs and lighting to highlight the “atrocities carried by Indian forces”.
The decision was taken in view of the ongoing unrest in the valley that has left more than 40 people dead in the last 10 days of street violence..
On Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that his country would continue extending political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. The Valley has been facing a shortfall in essential commodities due to the frequent blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway imposed by the government.
Since 1989, Kashmiri resistance groups in the region have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan. The government allowed protest marches and funeral prayers on the second day of Wani’s killing – the day most of the deaths occurred in clashes in south Kashmir.
Separatist leaders continue to remain under house arrest and preventive detention in summer capital Srinagar.
“The J&K Police action in name of volatile situation in the Valley is an attack on the freedom of the media and unacceptable in a democracy…, The IJU demands that the police should desist from such illegal and unconstitutional actions immediately”, the IJU statement said. They also detained scores of printing press workers. “It will be another huge emergency”, said Kaisar Ahmed, head of Sri Maharaja Hari Singh and six other government hospitals in Srinagar.
Local newspapers in curfew-bound Kashmir failed to hit the stands on Monday for the third consecutive day after the government’s alleged “clampdown” on the media in the aftermath of widespread protests in the Valley.
Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.
Two others were killed and seven injured in the incident that took place on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called an all-party meeting today to discuss the current situation in the valley in the wake of violent protests over the killing Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. A youth, identified as Danish, sustained pellet injuries.
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He said after taking lives of more than 50 people, injuring more than 4,000 people, taking eyesight of more than 200, India wants to stop news of its oppression from reaching out to the world but it should know that by these undemocratic means it will not succeed in suppressing the people’s voices, real aspirations and their freedom struggle. Many need multiple operations.
