Srinagar: Normal life across Kashmir was affected on Thursday following a strike called by Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War to protest against the killing of a youth Rafiq Ahmad Rather, allegedly by CRPF men at Shopian in south Kashmir on Wednesday. Curfew was also re-imposed in Shopian and other parts of the south Kashmir after the killing of youth.
According to KMW early morning the authorities dispatched contingents of police and CRPF men in sensitive areas in both civil
lines and downtown city. The forces patrolled the streets and bunker vehicles were stationed at major junctions and road intersections to foil any protest. Shops, business establishments and other commercial establishments remained closed while skeletal public transport was playing on the roads. In downtown city, the security personnel wearing battle gear patrolled the lanes and by-lanes. In Nowhatta, Safakadal, Zainakadal, Rainawari, MR Gunj and other places the forces took extra
measures by putting more men on the job of law and order. In uptown city, partial shutdown was observed while some private transport plied on the roads. Security personnel and bunker vehicles were placed in volatile areas. “The administration has been cautious that the incident could spark a conflict. So we have announced range of steps to punish the guilty and taken steps to stop any untoward incidents, “senior cabinet minister told KMW. “Official in home department told, “We are keeping a close watch on the situation. Sufficient precautions have been taken to ensure that miscreants are prevented from creating a law and order situationâ€.
In north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Sopore, Zainageer, Rafiabad and Bandipora areas complete shutdown was observed. The shops were closed and no public transport plied on the roads. There was less presence of employees in the offices. The bandh call was given by Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani and People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War.
Meanwhile Authorities re-imposed indefinite curfew in Shopian and other parts of the south Kashmir following protests after a driver was killed by paramilitary CRPF men on Wednesday.
“Curfew imposed in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts of South Kashmir after a youth, Rafiq Ahmad Rather, 28, a sumo driver was killed on Wednesday,†official told KMW. Forces allegedly opened fire on protesters in Shopian while they were protesting against the killing of four persons on September 7 by the CRPF. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, people defied curfew and came out in many areas of Shopian town, and held protest demonstrations, witnesses said.
“Police and paramilitary forces fired tear gas shells and resorted to aerial firing in to disperse the protesters,†they said. The residents alleged that the forces later went berserk and barged into several house s, ransacking household goods and thrashed the inmates.
“Rafiq was allegedly killed and four were injured by the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel posted at Gagaran camp. “Local resident said. The protesters were demanding the removal of the CRPF camp and the arrest of the persons responsible for the four deaths. Pertinently, CRPF men of the same camp had killed four persons
at Gagran last week.
According to reports one youth was critically injured in Raidwain Kulgam on Thursday when government forces opened fire on protesters, the injured has been identified as Amir Lone, a teenager, son of Mohammad Altaf Lone resident of Raidwain Kulgam in south Kashmir.
Meanwhile Director General of police Ashok Prasad told that police are investigating the incident and are also probing Saturday’s firing incident at Gagaran in which four people were killed.
