Kashmir shuts over Arshid’s killing

Srinagar: A widespread shutdown, observed to protest the killing of an unarmed youth Arshid Ahmad Shah at Sopore , crippled life in Kashmir on Tuesday as education and businesses remained halted in Srinagar and all other major towns of Kashmir Valley. Curfew, according to official authorities will continue to remain in force across Sopore. 

Meanwhile strict curfew remained in force across the Apple Town Sopore while the government forces restricted the movement of common people and did not allow anyone to move on the roads. Eyewitnesses said that the police and CRPF men, armed with anti-riot gear, were deployed in strength across Sopore town and other sensitive  areas of Baramulla.

Angry youth took to roads at some places including Chanakohan, Jamia Qadeem, Chotta Bazar and main chowk Sopore and staged protest demonstrations against Arshid’s killing. The protestors were demanding stern punishment to the government forces involved in the killing of Arshid Shah. Reports said that youth pelted stones at the police and CRPF personnel who did not retaliate. Sources said that at least three persons were injured during the clashes in Sopore.       

All shops, business establishments, educational institutions and government offices remained closed in Baramulla and adjoining areas. The attendance in banks was also affected while the passenger vehicles were off the roads. Personal cars, however, plied on the deserted roads, which were being manned by police and paramilitary personnel.

Most of the Srinagar city remained shut in protest, although emergency services of water works department were not affected . Community shops in some areas were open but largely the businesses were hit by the strike. A police official said that some ‘miscreants’ tried to throw stones at the moving vehicles near Gojwara and Bohrikadal in downtown areas but they were later chased away, the police say. 

Complete shutdown was also reported from Kulagm and its adjacent areas including Qaimou, Bugam, Yaripora and Khudwani. The Tral town also observed complete shutdown. 

Shutdown was also observed in South Kashmir’s Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag district. However, many shops in these districts were seen open and traffic was seen plying on the roads.

Eyewitnesses said that some youth attacked private vehicles with stones in Lal Chowk Anantnag. Shutdown call also affected the life in Budgam, Ganderbal, Kangan, Handwara, Kupwara and other parts of Valley.

A police official said that situation in Valley remained completely peaceful and there was no major untoward incident reported from any part of the Valley.

Meanwhile heads of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani were put under house arrest while JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik continues to remain in police custody. A JKLF spokesman said Malik was among other leaders who were shifted to Central Jail. 

Meanwhile the curfew will continue in Sopore for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, officials have confirmed.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sopore Khurshid Ahmed Shah said that the authorities didn’t want to take any chances. “Although the situation is peaceful and under control, but as a precautionary measure, we have decided not to lift the curfew on Wednesday,” he said.

“The situation would be reviewed Wednesday afternoon to decide about the future course of action to be taken on Thursday,” Shah said. 

Curfew was imposed in Sopore on Tuesday evening following the killing of Naseem Bagh youth at the hands of government forces.

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