Srinagar, July 25 - A shutdown called by the hardline separatist Hurriyat Conference to protest detention of its chairman Syed Ali Geelani and other leaders under the Public Security Act hit normal life across Kashmir Saturday.

Shops, businesses, government offices and banks in this summer capital of the state and other major and minor towns across the valley were shut in response to the strike call.

In Anantnag town of south Kashmir, police used batons to chase away stone pelting youth Saturday morning.

Though public transport was off, a few private vehicles were seen on the roads here while police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers patrolled the deserted streets.