Shutdown in India-controlled Kashmir protests mass arrests, move to abrogate region's special status

Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard near a barbed wire barricade during a security lockdown in downtown area of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Feb. 24, 2019. Indian-controlled Kashmir Sunday observed a shutdown to protest arrests of political activists and move of legally abrogating a law - Article 35 A of Indian constitution - that confers special status to the region. The strike call was given by the region's separatist groups under the leadership Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) condemning arrests and fearing tampering with Article 35 A would change the demography of the Muslim- majority region. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)