Amid Curfew, clashes, life remains crippled in Kashmir

Amid Curfew, clashes, life remains crippled in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 20.2010:

Fearing spillover following the latest death of a youth in Baramulla, authorities imposed curfew in northern Kashmir’s Sopore town while tough restrictions were clamped in rest of the Kashmir valley on Tuesday.

Official sources said that curfew, which was lifted yesterday, was re-imposed in Sopore town this morning while restrictions under section 144 RPC, banning assembly of more than four persons, were clamped in the rest of the Valley to prevent fresh protests.

Besides the fear of spillover, separatist Hurriyat Conference led by incarcerated leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had asked people to stage protests, against detention of youth and leaders, today as a part of its nine day long shutdown and protest calendar against the killings, seventeen in all from last 40-days.

While as the curfew kept the Sopore denizens indoors, situation remained tense in adjoining Baramulla town where two persons were killed including a 13-year-old—Faizan Ahmad Buhroo who locals alleged was chased to drown by police on Saturday last.

A fresh wave of protests was sparked off in the town yesterday after security forces shot dead another youth—Fayaz Ahmad Khanday. The 25-year-old, newly wed, was killed when security forces opened fire at a funeral procession of Faizan, whose body was earlier found after two days of his drowning.

Official sources said that hundreds of angry youth engaged heavy deployment of security forces in pitched battles since early morning in the town. Clashes between the mob and the security forces were reported from almost half a dozen places including Azad Gunj, Main town, Cement Bridge, Janbazpora, Bus-stand and Khanpora. The police and security forces fired teargas shells to push the highly discharged mob back into alleys. In the dingdong battles, several persons including a few uniformed men were injured.

In Srinagar—the summer capital of the state, curfew-like situation prevailed in wake of the prohibitory orders. The restrictions were enforced in many areas falling under the jurisdiction of over a dozen police stations including Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safakadal, Maharajgunj, Rainawari, Soura, Lalbazar, Nigeen and Noorbagh in old city and Batmaloo, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Shaheedgunj in civil lines, officials said. Amid stern restrictions, a group of stone pelting youth appeared near Dalgate this morning. However they were chased away by police.

Reports from other districts of the valley said that restrictions were enforced in many areas of central Kashmir districts— Ganderbal, Budgam. In addition, many areas of southern Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam witnessed restrictions.

Shops and business establishments, educational institutions, remained closed and transport off the roads, officials said.

The valley has remained shut for 34 days since turbulence began on June 11, when a teenager Tufail Matoo was killed by a teargas shell in Rajouri Kadal of the old city.

In the subsequent unrest, 16 more people including a bystander woman were killed by security forces, triggering a never ending wave of protests.