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Strike shuts down Indian Kashmir on U.N. day

by Amy Judd | October 24, 2008 at 01:27 pm

354 views | 5 Recommendations | 10 comments

A strike by separatists in Kashmir's main city today shut shops, businesses and schools, as strikers pushed for the implementation of a United Nations resolution for a referendum over the Himalayan region.

Today is also United Nations Day.

The resolution was adopted in 1948 and called for Kashmir to determine whether the disputed region could be part of India and Pakistan.

"I appeal to people to observe a complete strike on United Nations day to press for implementation of U. N. resolutions over Kashmir," hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, said in a statement.

The past two months have witnessed some of the biggest anti-India protests in Kashmir since a separatist revolt against New Delhi's rule broke out nearly twenty years ago.

The strike also closed banks and most of the government offices in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, where roads were deserted except for security patrols.

Life in Srinagar, a city of 1.1 million people, is frequently disrupted by strikes and protests over separatist causes.

"We will never bow to the suppression and occupation of Indian rule, and I think today we should protest and remind the United Nations of its promise," said Abdul Hamid, a shopkeeper in Srinagar.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed since simmering discontent against Indian rule turned into a full-blown rebellion in 1989.

A very slow moving peace process began in 2004, but fighting continues daily people are still killed over the issue.

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brendan sheridan

at 15:51 on October 24th, 2008

Taking during the month of august 2008 on dal lake,srinagar was already in a state of crisis.Around this time sheikh aziz was killed and fueled extra tension in the area.This image could symbolise two sides living side by side with a divide coming between them.

brendan sheridan has contributed a photo to this story.

ksbukhari

at 00:48 on October 25th, 2008

My Favourite Place - Neelum Valley AJK

ksbukhari has contributed a photo to this story.

Dimenticato

at 02:00 on October 25th, 2008

The United Nations Day, OMG, isn't it a bit hypocritical? (*_*)

Dimenticato has contributed a photo to this story.

icgoyal

at 04:06 on October 25th, 2008

I saw the nature's beauty at the highest level over there i.e. at Srinagar, India. At the time of my visit, it was quite calm. Localites were very helpful in all respect. I love Kasmir, the most romantic place of India, as a nature lover.

icgoyal has contributed a photo to this story.

minnamimi

at 08:02 on October 25th, 2008

hi, i'm glad if you may use my photos. I was in Srinagar early August only for few days, I'm afraid I cannot help you much, I was with a group and our "guide" did keep us away from the City center because the crisis was starting, we left Srinagar for Kargill very early one morning before the soldiers stop the passage. People and nature of Kashmir and Laddakh are in my heart.

minnamimi has contributed a photo to this story.

M-P Markkanen

at 10:47 on October 28th, 2008

Shalom aleichem ! i were in Kashmir around september and october in 2007 and by that time it was calm and peaceful. So the picture i took represents quite well my memories of this beautiful land on the foothills of the great Himalayas.
But whats ironic is that it just might be the beautiful landscape that's on of the issues about Kashmir. The "heaven on earth" as they sometimes call Kashmir is what the Indian goverment is keen on, not the muslim people living there.
Deep down the people in Kashmir are not satisfied; they're not living the free and equal life they have the right to. Imagine 200 000 or more "foreign" soldiers marching your streets everyday all day.
Kashmir is more Pakistani than it's indian, but i feel that most of all it is Kashmiri. Overall it's and issue that should be recognized internationaly, a problem that should be solved. We should listen to what the ordinary Kashmiri people have to say.

M-P Markkanen has contributed a photo to this story.