Srinagar, Oct 27 (IANS) A strike called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani to mark the day Indian troops landed at Srinagar impacted life across Kashmir Valley Tuesday with shops and businesses closed, and offices reporting thin attendance.
In Srinagar, public transport was off the roads and only a few private vehicles could be seen as police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers patrolled the streets.

The strike led to few people reporting for work at state government offices, educational institutions and banks.

Reports from other towns in the valley said the situation was similar with normal life coming to a virtual standstill.

A senior police officer said the situation in the valley was peaceful.

It was this day in 1947 that the first batch of Indian troops landed at Srinagar airport after the state acceded to India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to arrive here later Tuesday to inaugurate the extended 12 km north south rail link connecting Anantnag and Qazigund in the valley.