Normal life came to a grinding halt in Kashmir Valley in protest against the killing of a youngster in capital Srinagar and beating up of scores of students irrespective of their gender in south Kashmir’s Pulwama allegedly by the security forces. A group of separatist leaders had called for the shutdown that evoked considerable response.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed ‘deep anguish’ over the youth’s killing and asked the security forces to exercise maximum restraint while operating in ‘provocative situations’.
All shops, business establishments and other commercial establishments remained closed in the Valley while the public transport was off the roads. The authorities imposed restrictions in Batamaloo locality of capital Srinagar to thwart any possible protests against the killing.
A youngster Sajjad Hussain was allegedly shot dead by paramilitary personnel late on Saturday evening. The locals said there was no provocation for the security forces to open fire.
Sources said clashes erupted between youth and security forces in Rainawari area of old Srinagar during which the forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth, who were throwing stones at them. A petrol bomb was hurled towards the security forces, police said.
Reports of clashes also poured in from Achan village of Pulwama district. locals said that clashes erupted in Heff village of adjacent Shopian district after security forces launched an operation following inputs about the presence of militants. They said the forces resorted to aerial firing and teargas shells to disperse stone-throwing protesters during which a youth was injured. The injured youth was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Police said acting on specific information about presence of militants in village Heff of Shopian a cordon and search operation was launched.
“While the cordon was being laid a mob assembled. The militants taking advantage of the mob managed to escape,” the police statement said.
The statement reads that after sometime it was learnt that one person has received a bullet injury in his shoulder and was admitted to Pulwama district hospital.
“His condition is stated to be stable so far. Police has taken up the investigation in the incident,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters of the valley.
A top police official said that barring a few minor stone pelting incidents, the situation remained under control.
A youth was shot dead by forces on late Saturday evening in Batamaloo, while police had said it is investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that Chief Minister Mufti directed the security forces to exercise maximum restraint while performing their duties in provocative situations and follow strictly the laid down SOPs in such cases.
Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing of one Bashir Ahmad of Qasbayar, Pulwama who was gunned down by unidentified gunmen. Ahmad was a reportedly a sympathiser of the ruling party. The spokesman said that Mufti has also sought a report from the police about an incident of violence at degree college Pulwama on Saturday in which more than 50 students were injured.