An Indian policeman stands guard behind concertina wire during a general strike in Srinagar June 25, 2013. <\/p>\n
The people of Indian-administered Kashmir have held a complete shutdown strike in response to a visit by the Indian prime minister to the disputed Himalayan Valley.\n<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, almost all institutions and businesses remained closed, and traffic stayed off the streets in Srinagar and some other major towns of the Kashmir Valley.\n<\/p>\n
Reports further indicated that all schools and government offices remained closed in the Muslim-majority.\n<\/p>\n
The strike comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s controversial visit to the violence-wracked region. On Wednesday, Singh was expected to inaugurate part of an ambitious rail line that connects southern and northern Kashmir.\n<\/p>\n
The developments also come a day after a daring attack by the separatists left at least eight Indian soldiers dead and injured several others in the troubled region.\n<\/p>\n
Several separatist groups who oppose New Delhi rule over the Muslim-majority region called the strike. Separatist leaders say the Indian government should hold the security forces accountable for human rights violations in Kashmir.\n<\/p>\n
Authorities have deployed large police and paramilitary troops in most parts of the capital of Srinagar to prevent fresh street demonstrations.\n<\/p>\n
Indian troops are also in constant clashes with the militants seeking independence in the area.\n<\/p>\n
The government forces have responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on the movement of people.\n<\/p>\n
Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it.\n<\/p>\n
The neighbors agreed on a ceasefire in 2003 and launched a peace process the following year. Since then, there have been sporadic clashes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.\n<\/p>\n
Thousands of people have been killed in Kashmir over the past 20 years.\n<\/p>\n
JR\/PR
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