Kashmir shuts to mourn civilian killings

Srinagar, Feb 13: Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Monday due to a shutdown called by the joint resistance leadership against the killing of two civilians and four militants in an encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in Srinagar. Public transport remained off the roads while private transport plied in some parts of Srinagar city. Vendors were seen doing normal business at Batamaloo, Amirakadal, Lal Ded Hospital Road and Polo View. However, complete shutdown was observed in other parts of Kashmir. Authorities had made heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces to prevent rallies.
Reports said that curfew like restrictions were imposed in Kulgam and Shopian town to thwart possible protests. Clashes between protesters were reported from many parts of Valley including Natipora Srinagar, Qaimouh Kulgam and Pulwama. Eyewitnesses told that an Engineering student was arrested by police in Pulwama after stone-pelting incident. Police according to eye-witnesses used tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters who hurled stones on the government forces. The family members of arrested youth told that Musavir Ahmed from Dalipora Pulwama was apprehended by police when he was on way towards his home from market. “He studies engineering at Chandigarh and tomorrow he was supposed to leave for Chandigarh,” one of the family members of Tasavar said.
A police official said that barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, situation across Kashmir remained peaceful. (CNS)