Kashmir shuts over civilian killings
A complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir in response to the strike call that was given by the separatist leaders against the civilian killings here.
Most of the shops, petrol pumps and business establishments were shut while public transport was off the roads and the private educational institutions remained closed. The separatists had called for a shutdown today and asked people to participate in a sit-in which they would lead outside the UN office after Friday congregational prayers.
However, to prevent the separatist programme, authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to maintain law and order. Strict restrictions were imposed in eight police station areas of Srinagar, officials said. They said the curbs were imposed in the police station areas of Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal, Maisuma, Kral Khud and Ram Munshi Bagh.
The officials said the restrictions on the movement of people were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the separatists call for strike and a march to the office of United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) at Sonwar here. All roads leading to the UNMOGIP office were sealed, while security forces have been deployed in strength at sensitive places across the Valley to avoid any untoward incident.
Normal life was disrupted in the rest of the Valley due to the strike called by separatists. Authorities also put crbs on the movement of separatist leaders including chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik.
Authorities also suspended train services following the shutdown call. An official said that the service between Baramulla and Banihal areas has been suspended for the day “as a precautionary measure”.
Normal was thrown out of gear due to the strike call, while fierce protests were taken out in different parts of Kashmir including the Central Kashmir’s Budgam district where a youth lost life while another was injured in the firing by Army.
Elsewhere protest were also taken out after the Friday prayers. As soon as the news of the youth being killed in Budgam spread, youth took to streets and laid road blockades at different areas of South Kashmir, while pro-freedom protests were also taken out in the downtown areas of Srinagar. The Hurriyat leadership has asked the United Nations to intervene into the recurring human rights violations in Kashmir.
Authorities said that the mobile internet services were also barred in Budgam area after the killing of youth while as the broadband services were also snapped in many parts of the Central Kashmir district.
KV Correspondent
