A total of 1,463 strikes were observed in Kashmir valley between January 1990 to February 15, 2007, according to a fact sheet released by the state government. The highest number of 207 strikes were observed in 1991 when militancy was at its peak.
1990 accounted for 198 strikes followed by 148, 139 and 122 in 1992, 1993 and 2001, respectively, the report said. It said four strikes were observed in 2007 February 15, while the number was 25 in 2006 -- same as 1998 and 2004.
The year 2005 accounted for the lowest number of 18 strikes followed by 24 in 1999, the report said adding as many as 97 strikes were sponsored in 1994, 89 in 1995, 95 in 1996, 72 in 1997, 41 in 2000, 77 in 2002 and 58 in 2003.
Frequent strikes by separatists and militants came under attack from various quarters as the student and business community was the worst hit. However, the number of strikes started showing a declining trend from 2004, the year when moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq entered into a dialogue with Centre as part of its efforts to seek a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Strikes on Republic Day and Independence Day, February 11 (the day when JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged in Tihar jail in 1984), May 21 (death anniversary of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq), July 13 (martyrs day), October 27 (the day when troops landed for the first time in Kashmir to repulse Pakistani attack in 1947) have become a routine since 1990.
The report said as many as 1901 incidents of demonstrations and processions were witnessed between January 1990 to February 15, 2007.
The highest number of 416 processions and demonstrations were witnessed in 1992, the report said adding 1991 accounted for 275 processions and demonstrations, 65 in 1990, 313 in 1993, 183 in 1994 and 135 in 1995.
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