Normal life came to a halt in Kashmir Valley on Monday in response to separatists’ call for shutdown against killing of 13 militants and four civilians in separate incidents of violence in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and Shopian districts on Sunday. At least 20 persons including 13 militants, 3 soldiers and 4 civilians got killed and more than a hundred protesters and by-standers were wounded in the violent incidents which triggered massive protests.
The authorities have rounded up separatist leaders or place them under house detention in the wake of worsening law and order situation. The separatists have extended the shutdown call for another day prompting the authorities to announce closure of educational institutions and imposition of restriction \s in sensitive areas for another day on Tuesday.
The authorities deployed hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel in areas under seven police stations in old Srinagar and imposed curfew-like restrictions in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts in south Kashmir. Barricades were put on roads to curb civilian movement.
Even the situation remained by and large peaceful, the tension was write large in most parts of the Valley, especially in south Kashmir districts.
Reports said scores of people from south Kashmir areas have been admitted for advanced treatment in three Srinagar hospitals late last Sunday night with pellet-damaged eyes, bullet injuries in stomach, chest, and limbs.
Joint Resistance leadership (JRl) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has extended the shutdown call till Tuesday.
Mobile internet services remained suspended for the second consecutive day across Kashmir region. Train services were also suspended in Kashmir. These measures have been taken to prevent protests and maintain law and order, officials said.
Shops, commercial and business establishments, fuel stations remained closed. The authorities had ordered closure of educational institutions. The order was extended for another day. All examinations have been postponed by Kashmir University, Islamic University and Central University. The attendance in government departments has been affected due to shutdown.
Public transport was off the roads. Very few private vehicles plied in Srinagar outskirts and some city roads. The students of Kashmir University staged massive protests on the campus to oppose the varsity’s decision to hold the 13th J&K Science Congress (2018) function despite Shopian civilian killings.
Similar reports of shutdown and disruption in normal life were received from other districts.
In Shopian, doctors and paramedical staff held a protest against the alleged indiscriminate firing by the security forces inside the premises of sub-district hospital Shopian.
Reports from Pulwama said that agitated protesters attacked CRPF Bunker with stones. The troopers and police personnel lobbed sound shells to disperse the protesters who were protesting against the militant and civilian killings.
Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra arrived here from winter capital Jammu to take stock of the security situation. He held separate meetings on the matters of security management with police chief Shesh Paul Vaid, XV Corps commander lt Gen. Anil Kumar Bhat, Inspector general of Police (Kashmir range) Soyam Prakash Pani and the heads of central intelligence agencies.