Curfew, restrictions, shutdown after killing Protests in several areas ƒ Separatists detained ƒ Siege to continue today Bandipora/ Srinagar, Mar 15: The State Government Saturday imposed undeclared curfew and restrictions in Bandipora district and downtown Srinagar to scuttle protests against the killing of a youth in police firing in Naidkhai, Sonawari, area of north Kashmir last evening. Clashes broke out in several parts of Kashmir against the killing while many towns observed spontaneous protest shutdown. BODY LAID TO REST: Amid sobs and tears, the body of Farhat Ahmed was laid to rest at Shahgund Naidkhai this morning. Farhat, a 20- year- old youth, was shot dead by police last evening in Naidkhai town. Script repeated Thousands of people attended his funeral amid pro- freedom and anti- government slogans. Women were wailing, pulling their hair and beating their chests while thousands of people were jostling to carry the body on their shoulders. Later the body was laid to rest at Martyrs Graveyard Shahgund. CURFEW AND RESTRICTIONS: Curfew was clamped in parts of Bandipora district to thwart the protests against the killing. Residents of several parts of the district told Greater Kashmir that strict curbs were put on the movement of people in Naidkahi, Hajin and surrounding areas. “ Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel, who were deployed in these areas, did not allow anybody to venture out from his house,” they said. Shahgund - the native village of deceased youth Farhat Dar– was sealed by authorities and nobody was allowed to enter the village. Streets of Bandipora, Shahgund, Naidkhai, Hajin and its adjacent areas wore a deserted look. However, braving restrictions, hundreds of people staged protests at Hajin town in the afternoon against the killing. Meanwhile, a massive procession from Saderkote this morning tried to march towards Shahgund. But they were intercepted by a contingent of police and CRPF at Hajin Bridge, triggering clashes between the sides. Shutdown was observed in entire Bandipora district. Complete shutdown was also observed in north Kashmir’s Sopore and Baramulla towns. Life was paralyzed in both the towns as business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads. RESTRICTIONS IN CITY: Severe restrictions were imposed in areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Rainawari in Srinagar. Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in strength to prevent people from staging protests. Life was also partially hit in uptown areas of Srinagar. There was skeletal movement of traffic on the roads while government offices recorded thin attendance. Amid complete strike and shutdown, clashes broke out in Tral township of South Kashmir. Scores of youth took to streets this morning, demanding punishment to the police personnel involved in the killing. The youth pelted stones on forces triggering severe clashes between the two sides. The shopkeepers closed the shops and traffic went off the roads. Talking to Greater Kashmir , Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr. Shah Faisal said restrictions were imposed in several parts of Bandipora to prevent any untoward incident. “ The curbs will also continue tomorrow,” he said. Authorities put entire separatist leadership including JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik and Hurriyat ( M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention. Malik has been placed under house arrest from last night, while JKLF zonal organizer Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri was arrested by police in a nocturnal raid. A spokesman of JKLF said police last night cordoned the residence of Malik and placed him under house arrest. A spokesman of Hurriyat ( M) said its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and senior leaders were put under house arrest. “ Apart from Mirwaiz, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Advocate Shahid- ul- Islam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Javed Ahamad Mir and Saleeem Geelani were put under house arrest,” he said. He added that Er. Hilal Ahmad War was arrested when he tried to take out a procession against the killing. Police also put Hurriyat Conference Jammu & Kashmir leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan under house arrest. A spokesman of the amalgam said Shabir Ahmad Dar was arrested by cops while the residence of Mushtaq- ul- Islam was raided by police. “ Police also raided the houses of various Hurriyat activists of Hajin, Sopore, Bandipora and Baramulla and arrested many of them,” he said. The State Government has decided to continue restrictions on Sunday in downtown Srinagar and other ‘ volatile parts of Kashmir.’ “ The restrictions will remain in force tomorrow in the old city,” Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, Amit Kumar told GK. POLICE VERSION: A police spokesman this evening said that situation remained peaceful in Kashmir throughout the day. “ Situation remained peaceful throughout the Kashmir valley. However, a couple of stone pelting incidents were reported from Hajan and Cement Bridge, Baramulla,” he said. The police spokesman said there were no reports of injury to anyone till last reports came in.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 05:18:13 +0000