Kashmir shuts on Geelani’s call Fresh clashes in Srinagar

Srinagar: Complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir valley Saturday on the call of Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani. Curfew was reemployed in several areas after violent clashes broke out between Police and stone pelting youth. Anti execution protest demonstrations were also reported from various areas in north and south Kashmir districts. The protestors were also demanding return of body of Parliament attack Convict Muhammad Afzal Guru.

Around one dozen people have been reported to have received injuries in violent clashes erupting between protestors and security personals in Kashmir on Saturday in the aftermath of hanging of Guru.
All shops, business establishments and government offices remained closed while public transport also remained off roads. Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had extended the call for complete shutdown till Sunday as a mark of the protest against the execution. He had termed the demand for return of Guru’s body and Maqbool Bhat’s mortal remains as the single point agenda of the Hurriyat.
The commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas observed a complete shutdown. All the shops and other commercial establishments in Lal Chowk and surrounding areas downed their shutters as a mark of protest.
Reports of complete shutdown were also received from other districts of Valley.
Violent protests erupted in various areas of Downtown of Srinagar with youth pelting stones on police and security forces personnel.
Curfew was reimposed in Maisuma and some down town areas after violent clashes erupted against the execution of Guru. “Police exercised maximum restraint against the stone pelters. Some minor pelting incidents occurred in Kawdara and Rajouri Kadal but it was peaceful and under control situation”, said SDPO MR Gunj.
Curfew was lifted from whole of Kashmir Valley today.
A police spokesman said the day passed off peacefully barring few incidents of stone pelting from Maisuma, Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara Chowk, Bohari Kadal and Chota Bazar on moving vehicles in Srinagar city.
“One civilian Nisar Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Makdoom Sahib received stone injury on his nose near Gojwara. Some stray incidents of stone pelting were also reported from Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, and Vilgam in Handwara. ASI Baldeep Singh of BSF received minor injury in stone pelting at Baramulla”, he added.
The police spokesperson said fifty three stone stone pelters were arrested from different districts of valley. “Thirteen have been arrested from Srinagar, eight from Baramulla, fifteen from Sopore, eight from Anantnag, three from Pulwama and six from Budgam”, the spokesperson told.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo rebutted reports that curfew was imposed in any part of valley. He said the situation remained under control. “There were some minor incidents reported, however, the situation was peaceful overall”, said Kichloo.
Meanwhile, according to eye witnesses heavy stone pelting occurred in main town Baramulla, yards away from the Police Station, forcing policemen to stay indoors. Youth who had already assembled in various streets appeared on main road immediately as Police vehicles moved out of the police station.
The people who witnessed the scene said that youth were aggressive and went very close to these vehicles, “Raising pro freedom slogans while pelting the stones”. They prevented police from coming out of the police station for a long time.