Kashmir shuts down to protest against killing of two civilians
REGISTERING DISSENT Authorities impose restrictions in many parts of the old city, train services from Srinagar to Baramulla suspended
SRINAGAR: Kashmir shut on Sunday against the killing of two civilians, allegedly at the hands of security forces, during an encounter with militants in south Kashmir on Saturday.
Businesses, shops and offices were closed, while traffic was off the roads in capital Srinagar and other district headquarters in response to the protest call given by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik.
Since it was a Sunday, government offices and educational institutions were already closed. Authorities have imposed restrictions in major parts of the old city and some uptown areas on the directions of Srinagar district magistrate.
They said the restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC are in force in Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud “as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident”. The restrictions in the first five areas have been in force since Friday.
Heavy deployment of police and CRPF has been made in sensitive areas of the Valley to prevent any escalation of protests.
“The (government) forces are selectively killing our youth on one hand, on the other, entire profreedom leadership has been caged, and we not even allowed to express sympathy and solace with the bereaved families. The ruling regime has crossed all limits of repression and killings; imposition of curfews, restrictions and curbs has become an everyday affair in Kashmir,” the separatists had said on Saturday.
Two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including a commander allegedly involved in the killing of six policemen last month, were killed on Saturday in an encounter with police and army in Brinty Dialgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
While commander Bashir Lashkar was a local, his accomplice was Abu Maz, a foreigner.
Police said a middle-aged woman named Tahira lost her life, allegedly in the crossfire during the encounter. A youth identified as Shahdab Ahmad was hit when the government forces were facing stone pelters, who were trying to disrupt the operation and help the militants escape. Four more youth were wounded in the clashes.
So far 22 civilians — mostly protesters — have been killed, ostensibly in firing by forces since February 15 when army chief General Bipin Rawat warned of stern action against civilians who would try to disrupt counter-insurgency operations.
The railway authorities have suspended train services from Srinagar to Baramulla in north Kashmir fearing violence during shutdown. Similarly, trains operating from central Kashmir to south Kashmir have also been cancelled.
HEAVY DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE AND CRPF HAS BEEN MADE IN SENSITIVE AREAS OF THE VALLEY TO PREVENT ANY ESCALATION OF PROTESTS