The authorities in Kashmir clamped curfew in capital Srinagar and many towns to prevent widespread protests against killing of four persons at the hands of Border Security Force in Gool area of Jammu. The separatist groups had asked the people to hold massive protest demonstrations after the culmination of congregational prayers on Friday afternoon.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear dominated the volatile streets before the sunrise and asked the people to remain indoors. Curfew announcements were made through official media and loudspeakers.
The Valley is seething with anger over the killings of Muslim protesters by the BSF in a village near Gool area of Ramban district on Thursday morning. The locals alleged that BSF soldiers fired at thousands of Muslims protesting sacrilege of the holy Quran. Officials say four persons were killed in shootout but independent sources maintain that death toll is higher. Around 40 persons have been wounded in the firing.
While locals allege that the protests were in reaction to BSF soldier’s raid on an Islamic seminary late on Wednesday night where they beat up a cleric and tore pages of the Quran.
The BSF has denied that they barged into the seminary or disrespected holy books. They say that a cleric had been detained for questioning after he was found in suspicious circumstances. The BSF claimed that the personnel fired in “self defence” after “a violent mob” attacked their camp.
Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has regretted the killings and ordered a probe. He has assured that if the BSF were found guilty of excessive use of force or irresponsible behaviour they would be strictly dealt with. Shinde’s reaction came after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took up the matter with him.
The authorities have ordered a magisterial probe and Deputy Commissioner of the district was removed. Some reports said that the firing took place in presence of the now-expelled Deputy Commissioner.
The protests erupted in the Valley spontaneously on Thursday compelling the authorities for major clamp down. The Kashmir University and Central University of Kashmir have postponed examinations till July 23.
The security forces blocked all ways leading to lal Chowk in Srinagar to prevent assembly of people there. JKlF leader Yasin Malik had asked the people to assemble at lal Chowk to hold anti-India demonstrations. Most of the separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah were put under house-arrest.
Due to strict restrictions, the distribution network of newspapers was badly hit. The district administration in Srinagar refused curfew passes to mediapersons.
The separatist have asked to continue protest shutdown for three days.
The authorities are fearful of a repeat of the summer unrest which rocked the State, particularly the Valley, in 2008, 2009 and 2010.