SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indian-controlled Kashmir Saturday observed a shutdown to protest an attempt to legally abrogate a law that confers special status to the region.
The strike call was made by the restive region's separatist groups and supported by civil society, fearing it would change the demography of the Muslim-majority region.
Article 35 A of the Indian constitution confers special rights and privileges on permanent residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir, debarring residents from other Indian states from buying land or property, getting a government job or voting in the local elections.
However a petition has recently been filed by right wing Hindu hardline Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) backed think tank, Jammu Kashmir Study Centre, challenging Article 35-A in India's top court.
The Supreme Court had last month asked the federal government to file a reply within three weeks in this regard.
On Saturday in the region, markets, business establishments, educational institutions and private offices remained closed. Public transport remained off the roads.
The work in government offices also remained affected as very few employees managed to reach their duties.
A guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
