Chattergam killings: curbs, shutdown, clashes cripple Kashmir Police man hurt; two youth detained in Nowgam Srinagar: Authorities on Wednesday imposed restrictions in Old City of Srinagar while a shutdown amid protests and clashes was observed in valley against the killing of two teenagers in central Kashmir’s Budgam district in army firing. Burhan Yousuf and Mehraj Ahmad Dar – both hailing from Nowgam area of city – were killed when army men fired on their Maruti Car at Chattergam village. Two other youth also sustained injuries while another manage to escape. The call for shutdown was given by almost all pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabir Ahmad Shah and was endorsed by many other leaders. Reports said since early morning, hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personal were deployed across the Old City areas falling under five police stations including MR Gunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal. The government forces had erected spools of concertina wires and armoured vehicles to restrict civilian movement, witnesses said. Many residents of downtown said the restrictions were strict in the morning hours but were eased later. Though there were no restrictions in uptown and Civil Lines areas of Srinagar, but most of the shops, commercial establishments, schools, colleges, banks and petrol pumps were closed. The attendance in government offices was also recorded thin due to non-availability of transport. However, in the afternoon, some public and private vehicles were seen plying on the uptown roads while some shops were also seen open. However, despite strict security measures, protests broke out at various places in the city. The clashes between police and paramilitary forces broke out in Batamaloo Nowgam areas. The government forces resorted to baton charge and teargas shelling to disperse the protesters. During clashes in Nowgam, a police constable identified as Pervaz Ahmad of IRP second battalion, was hit by a stone and sustained injuries. Official sources said police detained two stone-throwing youth identified as Tauseef Ahmad Wani and Arif Ahmad of Charipora Nowgam and were lodged in police station Nowgam. The clashes in Nowgam continued for several hours. Eyewitnesses said hundreds of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the area for the second straight day to contain protests. Eyewitnesses said soon after deployments were lifted in Old City, youths took to streets and pelted stones on forces at Khanyar, Nawab Bazar, Karfali Mohalla and Habba Kadal Chowk. Residents said police used teargas and pepper shells to disperse the youth. The shutdown was also observed in other district headquarters of the valley against the killings of teenagers. Reports said youth clashed with government forces in Sopore. Youths hurled stones on private vehicles at Khanpora Bridge of Baramulla district, police sources said. “Due to stone-pelting, glasses of many vehicles were smashed,” they said. Police sources added that similar incident took place at Khudwani and Qaimoh areas of Kulgam district. Meanwhile, the pro-freedom leaders have thanked people for observing shutdown against the killings.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:56:00 +0000
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