Srinagar: With no letup in protests against the killing of a youth the hands of ‘security forces’, three people sustained injuries amid curfew in downtown and spontaneous shutdown in most parts of the valley on Friday.
22 year old Bashir Ahmad was killed after ‘security forces’ opened fire on protesters in Nawa Kadal area of Old CityWednesday late evening soon after the polling for parliamentary constituency of Srinagar concluded at 26 percent turnout.
The killing sparked widespread anti-India clashes in parts of Srinagar particularly in downtown areas that left around 18 people including a woman and forces men injured. The government announced curfew on Wednesday late evening to curb protests and clashes in downtown while pro-freedom leaders called for a shutdown for today. The government reportedly also ordered ‘magisterial probe’ in the incident.
The downtown areas continued to reel under curfew for the second straight day with hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in riot gear and holding assault rifles were deployed across the downtown. The forces had erected barricades, concertina wires and mobile bunkers to restrict the civilian movement, eyewitnesses told GNS.
“The curfew was strictly imposed in volatile areas of downtown including Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, and Kawdara,” they said, alleging many people weren’t allowed even to buy milk and bread in the morning.
Due to government curfew, forces didn’t allow people to offer Friday prayers in central Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in Hyderpora area of uptown against the killingof Bashir.
“Scores of people took to streets and held pro-freedom protests. The protests were chased away by police and they in return pelted stones on them,” witnesses told GNS.
During the clashes, a man was detained by police from his house, locals alleged.
In many parts of downtown, the clashes broke out after authorities lifted curfew. The youth took to streets and pelted stones on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police retreating from curfew areas.
In Nawab Bazar area of old city, intense clashes broke out between youth and CRPF. Locals alleged that CRPF smashed window panes and glasses of many residential houses during clashes. The clashes continued till evening during which police fired several tear smoke shells to disperse the youth.
Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in most parts of the valley.
The Civil Lines areas of city wore a deserted look and traffic thin while most of the schools, colleges and shops were closed.
Reports reaching GNS said that a spontaneous shutdown was observed north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Palhallan, Bandipora, Hajin, Naidkhai, Sopore and Kupwara.
The post-Friday protests broke out in Hajin, Naidkhai, Bandipora town, Papchan, Sopore, Khanpora in Baramulla town, and Palhallan.
Two people sustained injuries during clashes in Baramulla clashes.
A spontaneous shutdown was also observed in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Post-Friday clashes and protests broke out in Qamaria Chowk and at Saloora in the district.
In south Kashmir’s Qazigund, a person identified as Aijaz Ahmad Shiekh sustained injuries during clashes between youth and government forces against the killing of downtown youth. Besides, a complete shutdown was also observed in the town.
The shutdown was also observed in Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag towns.
In Pulwama, minor stone-throwing incidents took place at Samboora and in Pulwama town. The minor clashes also broke out in Anantnag town, Khudwani and Qaimoh in Kulgam. (GNS)