Srinagar/Bandipora, Mar 16: A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir on Sunday against the killing of a youth in police firing in Naidkhai area of north Kashmir on Friday evening. Undeclared curfew and restrictions remained in force in Bandipora district and downtown Srinagar for the second consecutive day while clashes erupted in several parts of north Kashmir. Life came to grinding halt across Kashmir due to the strike called by both factions of Hurriyat Conference against the killing of Farhat Ahmed Dar. Farhat was killed in police firing in Naidkhai area of Bandipora on Friday. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic remained off the roads in all districts of Kashmir, reports said. In Srinagar, restrictions remained imposed in several parts of old city for the second running day, causing a lot of inconvenience and hardship to people. Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed in areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Rainawari to prevent people from staging protests against the youth’s killing. In uptown areas, shops and business establishments remained closed while skeletal movement of public and private transport was seen there. The weekly Sunday market in Lal Chowk was partially open. Undeclared curfew remained in force in various parts of Bandipora. Curfew was imposed in Bandipora township, Sumbal, Naidkhi, Saderkoot and Hajin to scuttle protests against the killing of Farhat. Besides, all roads leading to Naidkhi and Shahgund were sealed by the government forces. Residents of several areas in the district told Greater Kashmir that police and CRPF men had erected barricades and bunkers at many places to curb public movement. However, scores of youth, shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, came out of their houses at Ward 6 near Qadeem Jamia Masjid Bandipora and held protest demonstrations. As they tried to march towards Main Chowk, police and CRPF intercepted them, triggering clashes, reports said. Later, police and paramilitary forces, fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. People also defied curfew at Main Chowk, Sheikh Mohalla in Bandipora township, engaging in clashes with police and CRPF throughout the day. The residents of these localities alleged that forces barged into several houses, ransacking household goods besides thrashing the inmates. In Hajin town, people too defied curfew and held massive pro-freedom demonstrations. They staged protests in Main Hajin market and tried to proceed towards Shahgund but were confronted by police near Jamia Masjid. Later, clashes erupted between the forces and protesters. Pro-freedom protests were held in Shahgund, the native village of Farhat Dar. People from various localities visited the house of deceased to express condolences with the bereaved. Clashes and protests were also reported from Sultanpora Naidkhi, Banger Mohalla and Kankha areas of Hajin. Residents of several areas of Hajin accused police and paramilitary forces of resorting to high-handedness. “The police and paramilitary forces smashed the window panes of our houses and parked vehicles,” they said. Meanwhile, complete strike was observed in North Kashmir’s Baramulla, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts. There were incidents of stone pelting at Barsoo in Ganderbal and Azad Gunj in Baramulla. A complete shutdown was observed in Chandilora, Druroo, Rare, Kunzar, Mangloora, Dhobiwan, Waripora Magam and Narbal areas of Tangmarg. Reports reaching from south Kashmir said that complete strike was observed in Islamabad, Kulgam and Shopian and Pulwama districts. POLICE VERSION: A police spokesman this evening said situation remained peaceful throughout Kashmir. However, he said, stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from main Chowk Bandipora and Hajan in Bandipora, Barsoo in Ganderbal and Azad Gunj in Baramulla. “There were no reports of injury to anyone, till last reports came in,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:51:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015