Protests, shutdown and undeclared curfew in several localities disrupted the normal life in Kashmir valley on Saturday, as resentment brewed following the death of a teenage boy in police firing, in Naidkhai village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The boy died late on Friday evening after protesters chanting pro-azaadi slogans clashed with police. Police said the protesters attempted to set an armoured vehicle on fire that triggered retaliation. They said police fired in air. However, the locals dismissed police claims saying that the teenager Farhat Ahmad Dar was targeted and shot in his chest. Two others were wounded in the firing.
Divisional Commissioner Shailendra Kumar said that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to know the facts. Sensing widespread protests against the killing, the authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in many parts of capital Srinagar especially in the old parts. Some residents said that police vehicles roamed around at the crack of dawn announcing imposition of curfew.
Hundreds of mourners defied restrictions in Naidkhai where the slain teenager was buried amid wails and sobs. Most of the separatist leaders — including Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq — were put under house-arrest. Many separatist workers were taken into custody. Mirwaiz called for a day-long shutdown against the killing on Sunday. The Opposition People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti slammed the coalition Government for “blatant misuse of power to suppress people”. Speaking at a Press conference she said the Omar Abdullah-led Government has turned into a man-eater.