Srinagar: Life was today affected in Bandipora in north Kashmir, where people are protesting against the death of a youth allegedly by the Army after his torture.
Authorities have ordered a magisterial probe while the Army said the youth was a militant killed in an encounter with troops.
Shops and business establishments remained closed in the town and other parts of the Bandipora district for the second day today due to the spontaneous strike.
The people alleged that Hilal Ahmed Dar was picked up from near a local mosque and later tortured and shot dead by the Army.
There were reports of stone-pelting on some private vehicles though majority transport remained off the roads. Work in government offices and banks was affected due to the strike.
The agitators rejected the Army report that Hilal, the only breadwinner of his family, was a militant and killed in an encounter.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmed Lone, has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
He said Additional Deputy Commissioner has been asked to probe the incident and present the report as soon as possible.
The Defence authorities in Kashmir rejected the protests and said Hilal was a militant who was killed in an encounter at Ashtiung Nar with an ambush party during the intervening night of July 24 and 25.
Ruling out any probe, a defence spokesman said at about 2345 hours on July 24, the ambush party noticed suspicious movement.
On being challenged, the ambush party of 27 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was fired upon. A brief fire fight ensued.
Later during the search of the site, of one body and AK-47 alongwith ammunition were recovered.
The slain militant was later identified as Hilal Ahmed Dar, he said, adding the body and the recovered arms and ammunition have been handed over to the Police.
