Naidkhai Killing Shuts Valley
SRINAGAR: Amid restrictions, complete shutdown was observed on Saturday in different parts of Kashmir to protest against the killing of a youth in police firing at Naidkhai, Bandipore.
Though, no separatist organization had called for a shut down, but people preferred to stay indoors after authorities imposed restrictions.
Meanwhile, almost all the separatist leaders were either placed under house arrest or were detained in different police stations.
Markets, business houses, educational institutions, including three major universities here, remained closed.
Curbs were imposed following death of a teenager in police firing in Naidkhai area of Bandipore Friday evening.
Police firing followed sporadic clashes between protesters and cops after Friday prayers. The deceased youth, 17 year old Farhat Ahmed Dar was laid to rest on Saturday in his native Shah Gund village amid intense anti-India and pro-freedom slogans by hundreds of mourners.
The funeral prayers were led by a local Hurriyat (G) leader.
An undeclared curfew remained in force in Naidkhai and its adjoining areas, while Shah Gund was virtually sealed off by police forces and no one was allowed to visit or leave the village.
Reports said police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength today to foil any protests in the area. Spools of concertina wire was erected and mobile bunkers deployed on key junctions to thwart any fresh protests. Streets of Bandipore, Naidkhi, Hajan, Sumbal and adjacent areas wore a deserted look.
Stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Sonawari-Hajin belt. Reports said that a big procession from Saderkote tried to march towards Shah Gund, the native village of the slain youth but was stopped at Hajan bridge. Clashes erupted between demonstrators and para-military troopers. The clashes continued for hours, however, no one was injured.
Reports said that Bndipore, Sopore and Baramulla also observed shutdown. All the markets, shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads.
In Srinagar city restrictions were imposed in parts of old city that were eased as the day passed off. Barricades and concertina wire was laid at different parts of old city while the movement of people and private vehicles was restricted.
Police said the restrictions were imposed on peoples movement in areas under the jurisdiction of police stations, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khaniyar and Rainawri.
Amid rains, hundreds of police and para-military personnel were deployed at restive parts of the city.
Heavy stone-pelting was reported from South Kashmirs Tral town. Scores of youth assembled on roads and staged protest against the killing of the Naidkhai youth. Security forces charged them with canes, which created panic in the area. Following the clashes, shops were closed and traffic went off the roads.
Barring Tral town, life was normal in South and Central Kashmir and no untoward incident was reported from any part of these towns.
In a bid to thwart any kind of procession and protests, authorities placed separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan and several others under house arrest. Some second wrung leaders were detained in different police stations.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shah Faisal has already ordered magisterial probe into the firing incident that led to killing of Dar and has directed the Additional DC to monitor the investigations. Police too has registered FIR and have started inquest proceedings into the matter.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
