At least 20 injured in fresh clashes in South Kashmir
Srinagar: Kashmir observed a shutdown against the killing of 13 militants and 4 civilians for the second consecutive day on Monday. The killings have led to massive protests from the population.
Shops and business establishments remained shut while transport also remained off the roads. The authorities apprehending large scale protests had put restrictions at numerous places across Kashmir. Internet services continued to remain suspended on second straight day.
Commercial establishments and offices also remained closed. The government had ordered closure of all educational institutions on Monday. All examinations scheduled on Monday were also postponed by all three universities including Kashmir University, Islamic University and Central University. Public transport was off the roads.
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The call for shutdown was forwarded by Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik. Geelani, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Mirwaiz were placed under house arrest while Malik was arrested from his house and shifted to Kothibagh police station.
The authorities enforced restrictions in Srinagar, particularly in the downtown areas. Barricades were put in place to curb civilian movement, and heavy military presence could be seen on the streets.
A vital road link leading to Kashmir’s tertiary care hospital SKIMS was kept open and scattered private vehicles were seen plying on it.
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Stone-pelting incidents were reported from some parts of Srinagar city including Qamarwari, Maloora and Parimpora. Minor stone-pelting incident was reported from Rambagh area. Youth also hurled stones on deployed forces at Batamaloo in Srinagar.
Atleast one police officer and two protesters were injured during clashes at Chewa Safapora area on Srinagar-Bandipora road. Reports said that protesters had blocked the road. Police fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters while youth pelted stones on the deployed forces. A Sub-Inspector and two protesters were injured in the clashes.
Authorities imposed severe restrictions in all the four districts of South Kashmir including Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag.
Amid strict restrictions, clashes erupted at Gol Chowk Shopian. Eyewitnesses said that three civilians suffered pellet injuries in the area when forces fired at them.
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Reports from Pulwama said that agitated protesters attacked CRPF Bunker of 183 Battalion with stones. The troopers and police personnel lobbed sound shells to disperse the protesters who were protesting against the militant and civilian killings.
Clashes also erupted at Namlabal Cross KP road, Harnag and Seer Hamdan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Reports said that at least four youth suffered pellet injuries in Seer Hamdan during massive clashes. Large number of youth protested against the civilian and militant killings.
Reports from Kulgam said that undeclared curfew and restrictions remained in vogue while large number of people participated in the last rites of slain civilian Mehrajuddin Mir at Okey Kulgam. Back to Back funeral prayers were offered for two slain militants at Paddarpora Shopian. They were buried amid pro-freedom slogans.
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Funeral prayers in absentia were offered for slain 13 militants and 4 civilians in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Reports said that a large number of people participated in the funeral prayers.
Minor clashes were reported from Baagh, main chowk Bandipora and Kalossa.
A complete shutdown was also observed in several areas of Ramban district in Jammu region against the killing of seventeen persons, including four civilians, in Shopian district of south Kashmir killings yesterday.
Reports said the highway town of Banihal, Khari, Tethar and Chareel in Ramban district observed complete shutdown. All the business establishments and shops remained shut.
(With inputs from CNS)
