Bandipore teenagers killing: Curfew like restrictions imposed to contain protests Thousands bid tearful adieu to slain teenager Adil Lateef Srinagar March 15: Curfew-like restrictions were imposed Saturday in major parts of the Valley, including Srinagar, to contain the protests triggered by the killing of a teenager in government forces firing in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Friday. Meanwhile, fresh clashes were reported from many parts of north and south Kashmir. Reports reaching GNS said that hundreds of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in the areas of five police stations - Maharaj Gunj, Rainawari, Safakadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta in Old City Srinagar since early Saturday morning to restrict the movement of civilians. Besides erecting barricades, the forces had also laid concertina wires on the streets of Old City while mobile bunkers were also seen at several places. The Old City wore a deserted look with only forces vehicles plying on the roads. However, in the afternoon, restrictions were eased in few areas and public movement was allowed. Though there were no restrictions in uptown Srinagar, the shops and business establishments remained closed. However, the transport was plying as usual on several uptown routes. Fearing protests, government forces were deployed in various areas and markets in Civil Lines Srinagar including in Maisuma, Budshah Chowk and Lal Chowk. In north Kashmirs Bandipora district, the authorities imposed strict curfew since Saturday morning. However, defying curfew, hundreds of people took to streets and held massive anti-India protests at Naidkhai, Papchan, Sumbal, Hajin and Shah Gund. The protesters were shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. In the morning, thousands of people attended the funeral of eighteen year old Farhat Ahmad Dar at Shahgund Sumbal. In neighbouring Baramulla district, authorities had imposed severe restriction on the public movement. However, despite restrictions, youth took to streets in Old Town Baramulla and held strong anti-India protests. The protesters were shouting slogans against the forces. The youth clashed with government forces at Cement Bridge - which connects Old Town with Civil Lines. In order to quell the protesters, government forces fired several tear smoke shells. The clashes lasted for several hours. The volatile Sopore area in the district was also placed under severe restrictions since morning. Hundreds of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed at various placed in the area. In the afternoon, youth clashed with government forces at Ashipeer and Batapora localities. The Palhallan hamlet in the district was also placed under intense restrictions since morning. The area had witnessed violent clashes against the teenagers killing on Friday evening. Witnesses told GNS that the area has been completely sealed by police, paramilitary and army troopers. However, despite restrictions, youth clashed with government forces throughout the day. The forces resorted to teargas shelling, while the youth offered stiff resistance and continued pelting stones on them, eyewitnesses said. The clashes were going on when this report was being filed. Restrictions were also imposed in Pattan town of the district to foil any possible protests. Barring Tral town, the life in South Kashmir, however, remained unaffected. The Ganderbal town in central Kashmir observed comlete shutdown today against the killing of Naidkhai youth. In Tral town of Pulwama district, youth took to streets at around 11:30 am and staged anti-India protests. The youth enforced shutdown in the town and pelted stones on CRPF men. A man was injured after being hit by a stone during the clashes. He has been identified as Juma Shiekh. Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued here said that the situation remained peaceful throughout the Kashmir. However, a couple of stray stone pelting incidents were reported from Hajan and Cement-bridge, Baramulla. There were no reports of injury to anyone, till last reports came in, the spokesman said
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:15:31 +0000
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