COMPLETE Shut Down In Kashmir Supporting Continuation of Article 35-A

AHEAD  of  hearing  of  a PIL challenging  Article 35-A  in the Supreme Court  of  India, normal  life in Kashmir Valley  came to standstill on Sunday  due to  the shut down  declared  by various  organisations.includung separatist  groups . Article 35-A bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property, settle permanently or avail of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. It also forbids the state government from hiring people who are non-permanent residents. Article 35A had been added to the Indian Constitution in 1954 by a Presidential Order empowering the state’s legislature to frame laws independently without attracting challenges comparing the Right to Equality of people in other states or other rights outlined by the Constitution. Four petitions have challenged the legality of Article 35A on the grounds that it was never presented before the Parliament and that it differentiates between citizens of different states of India. Authorities say the situation across the valley is peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere as of now. Shops and business establishments remained closed across the valley while all kinds of transport remained off the roads.The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for a two-day strike — today and tomorrow — as Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of the Article 35-A on Monday The State government has filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court  informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the “ongoing preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the State”.The officials said security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir for maintaining law and order. Various organisations including the  Bar Association, transporters and traders’ bodies have extended support to the shutdown call given by the JRL. The JLR  comprised Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, all  known  separatists .Protests have been held across  Kashmir over the past few days with mainstream parties like the National Conference and PDP also holding rallies in support of continuing Article 35-A.