Kashmir shuts against civilian killings
A complete shutdown was observed across valley against the civilian killings in Dialgam area of district Anantnag on Saturday.
The call for shutdown was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) to protest the killings that were witnessed after an encounter that raged in Dialgam.
“Armed with draconian and lawless laws, which give them complete impunity to kill the people of Kashmir, especially youth, troops are killing people that too unarmed civilians at their will,” the JRL had said in a statement.
To thwart any protests, authorities had imposed restrictions in seven police station areas of Srinagar on Sunday. “ Restrictions will remain in force in Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud,” the official statement had said.
Thin traffic movement was witnessed on roads, however, the roads leading to downtown were sealed at several places.
Police had erected barricades and concertina wires near Tarabal, Iddgah, where no traffic movement was allowed towards Nawakada. Similiar scenes were witnessed at many places in downtown Srinagar.
Traffic on the main road from Lal-Chowk to Soura, was plying smoothly, however lanes and by lanes remain barricaded with barbed wires.
However, as the day proceeded the restrictions were somewhat eased and people were allowed to move in downtown but the markets remained shut throughout the day.
The traffic was running smoothly with no obstruction in civil line areas of Srinagar, however, shops remained closed for the entire day.
Shutdown observed in south Kashmir
South Kashmir observed complete shutdown against the Dialgam killings.
Thousands of mourners participated in the funeral procession of the slain militants and civilians at their native villages amid pro-freedom and pro-Islamic slogans.
Eyewitnesses said that all the shops and business establishments remained shut and transport was also off the roads in south Kashmir.
Two civilians Tahira and Shadab were laid to rest at their native places yesterday. However, militants were laid to rest today at their native places.
Bashir Lashkar alias Abu Ukasha was laid to rest in his native village Soaf of Kokernag area. Thousands of people participated in his funeral prayers. As per eyewitness, there were about 6 round of funeral prayers held due to heavy rush of mourners.
Witnesses said that people including men, women and children from different areas of South Kashmir reached Soaf village from yesterday to participate in his funeral prayers.
Azad Malik alias Dada was also laid to rest in his native village in Arwani area amid pro-freedom slogans. He had joined militancy in January 2017.
Two militants and two civilians were killed during an encounter between the militants and government forces. Police had said that Bashir Lashkari was involved in the killing of six policemen including an SHO in an ambush last month.
Lashkari was a Pakistan trained militant who remained in Pakistan for more than 12 years. Then he came back to Kashmir and was detained and was in police custody for about 2 years. Then he again joined militant ranks in 2015 and was considered to be the new icon of militancy especially in Anantnag district.
Internet services suspended
Internet services remained suspended in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district for second consecutive day on Sunday.
Data services were suspended in Anantnag district on Saturday morning after an encounter broke out in Tangwada Brenti, Dialgam. An official said that mobile Internet services were suspended to prevent the spreading of rumours on the social networking websites. The internet speed was lowered in Kulgam and Tral area as well.
KV Correspondent
