May 25 2008
Strike in J-K to protest President’s visit!
In protest against President Pratibha Patil`s five-days visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Shops and business establishments in the state remained closed on Saturday after a shutdown call is issued by hard-line faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).
President Patil is visiting the state during her five day tour and meets soldiers and officers of the army in forward areas on Friday.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Chairman of the APHC, had termed Patil’s visit “a deep rooted conspiracy to mislead the international community.” Geelani objected on Patil’s visit to “a disputed territory” accompanied by India’s military might.
“Geelani had called for this shutdown because the President is here. They should understand that Kashmir is still a disputed area. Since they are coming here like this with military force,” said Imran, a resident.
Addressing the troops at Baramulla, Patil congratulated them for performing their duties along the Line of Control (LoC) with alertness, dedication and bravery.
This is the first visit by President Patil to J-K After assuming the highest office in the country. She will return to New Delhi on June 1. From Jammu she will travel to Himachal Pradesh also to participate in official functions.
During her visit she is expected to go Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar to deliver the convocation address. She is also scheduled to inaugurate the Institute of Kashmir Studies at Kashmir University in Srinagar.
On Sunday, President Patil is also expected to inaugurate the university complex at Bhadarwah.
