Srinagar: Joint Resistance leadership has called for a valley wide shutdown on August 15, marking Indian Independence day, to be observed as a black day.

JRL comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, in a statement said that the ‘Democracy of a nation, which is going to celebrate its independence with fervor while controlling people by the military might, have been proven a hoax,” they said.

“Check points have been erected at various places to instill fear among people and population is being harassed,” they said.

JRL said that students of government as well as private institutions are being forced by Deputy commissioner’s and Muncipality office’s to pariticipate in Aug 15 functions.

“Employees are being forced to be part of these functions,” JRL said.