Shopian, 23 July: Shopian saw a complete shutdown today, since the cancellation of Article 370 in 2019, as the residents opposed the rehabilitation of the Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) office from the district’s mini secretariat, Janepora Mla Shokat Hussain to Chitragam in Ganai.
Shops and business in the district remained closed, with the traffic movement being partially affected. Calls for shutdown led by All Party Council received support from many political parties, civil society groups and business associations.
Local people alleged that transfer was politically motivated and there was a deliberate injustice for shopkeepers. He has demanded the government to reversed the order immediately and restored the DCEO office at its original place.
This protest is the first major shutdown in Shopian since 2019, which reflects increasing public anger and unity in political lines in the district. (KNS)