Thursday, May 25 2006 13:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Normal life in the Kashmir Valley ground to a halt for the second day today in the wake of the strike call given by separatist organisations against holding of the second roundtable conference.

Roads in the city and other major towns of the Valley wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors in response to yesterday's general strike call by the Geelani faction of the Hurriyat Conference and supported by almost all militant outfits.

Stringent security arrangements also added to the impact of the strike as all roads leading to the city were blocked by security forces deployed in strength to ward off any militant attack during the conference.

Security has been further beefed up across the Valley in view of the five grenade attacks carried out by militants yesterday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presided over the second roundtable on Kashmir.

The few private vehicles which had ventured out were thoroughly checked at all barricades erected within and at the entry points of the city.

All shops and business establishments remained closed and transport remained off the roads throughout the city and other major towns of the valley.

Educational institutions, banks and other establishments remained closed while work in government and semi-government offices was also badly-affected as employees could not turn up at the offices due to non-availability of transport.