Shopian, July 23 A complete shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday in protest against the proposed shifting of the Deputy Chief Education Officer (Dy CEO) office from the district, a move that has sparked widespread outrage and deepened political fault lines in the region.
The shutdown, called jointly by all major political parties and the local MLA, with the notable exception of the National Conference, brought life to a standstill across the town. Streets remained deserted, shops and commercial establishments were shuttered, and public transport was entirely off the roads.
Locals ignored a late-night appeal by the Traders Federation Shopian, which had asked shopkeepers not to observe the strike and had openly criticized the local MLA for calling the bandh. However, the public’s overwhelming response to the shutdown rendered the traders’ call ineffective.
“The people have spoken, this shutdown reflects our collective resolve,” said a local resident while standing outside a locked market in the town centre.
Political leaders, cutting across party lines, welcomed the strong public participation and hailed it as a reflection of Shopian’s unity and resilience. “This is not just about an office—it’s about dignity, representation, and administrative justice,” said one political activist. [KNT]
