Killing of youth: North Kashmir and Srinagar observed shutdown amid restrictions Movement of separatist leaders restricted Srinagar, March 16, CNS: Amid restrictions, complete shutdown was observed on Saturday in different parts of Kashmir to protest against the killing of a youth in ‘Police firing’ at Naidkhai Bandipora. Though, no separatist organization had called for a shut down, but people preferred to stay indoors after Government imposed restrictions. Meanwhile, almost all the separatist leaders either were placed under house arrest or were detained in different police stations. Markets, public transport, other businesses, colleges and universities remained closed in Srinagar as well as in different parts of North Kashmir including Bandipora, Baramullah, Sumbal and Sopore. On Friday, Naidkhai area in Bandipora witnessed protests by angry crowds during which clashes between them and security forces erupted leaving a youth Farhat Ahmed Dar dead. Reports said that police and the CRPF swung bamboo sticks, burst teargas shells and also fired rifle shots in the air to disperse the surging crowds who made repeated attempts to attack security vehicles. According to CNS, undeclared curfew remained in vogue in Naidkhai and its adjoining areas, while Shahgund, the native village of the slain youth Farhat Ahmed Dar was sealed by authorities and no one was allowed to visit or leave the village. Reports said police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength today to foil any protests in the area. Spools of concertina wire were laid down and mobile bunkers erected to thwart any fresh protests. Streets of Bandipora Shahgund, Naidkhi,Hajin and its adjacent areas wore a deserted look. Reports said that despite severe restrictions, thousands of people participated in the last rites of the 15 years old slain youth. Farhat was laid to rest with tearful eyes by his family members and other people. “He was just 15 and was innocent. I can’t believe the boy who aspired to be a doctor is dead,” his uncle told CNS at the end of the funeral. Reports said that Bndipora, Sopore and Baramulla also observed shutdown. All the markets, shops and business establishments were closed while traffic was off the roads. In Srinagar city, sever restrictions were imposed in Old City that were eased as the day passed off. Barricades and concertina wires were laid down at different parts of Old City while the movement of people and private vehicles were restricted. Amid rains, hundreds of Police and Para-military troopers were deployed at restive parts of the city. Stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from all across Sonawari Hajin belt. Reports said that a massive procession from Saderkote tried to march towards Shahgund, the native village of the slain youth. Clashes erupted after police and Para-military troopers stopped them at Hajin Bridge. The clashes continued for hours, however, no one was injured. Heavy stone-pelting was reported from South Kashmir’s Tral town. Scores of youth assembled on roads and staged protest against the killing of the Naidkhai youth. Security Forces chased the protestors and charged them with canes, which created panic in the area. Following the clashes, shops were shut down and traffic remained off the roads. Barring Tral town, life was normal in South and Central Kashmir and no untoward incident was reported from any part of these town. In a bid to thwart any kind of procession and protests, authorities either placed separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Hilal Ahmed War house arrest or detained them in different police stations. A Police Official told CNS that situation all across remained peaceful and no major incident was reported from any part of the Valley/GNP
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 11:33:16 +0000
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