3G, 4G services suspended in Valley after civilian’s death

SRINAGAR: Authorities cut off high-speed mobile internet services in Kashmir as the separatist Hurriyat called for a shutdown in Kashmir on Friday to protest the killing of a civilian by security forces, sparking fresh tension in the Valley.

Adil Ahmed (22) was killed on Tuesday night when security forces fired on people protesting a cordon-and-search operation in Shopian district. He was hit by a bullet in the chest and was declared dead at a local hospital.

The search operations – called CASO by security forces – was relaunched recently after 15 years in view of a spurt in militant activities in Kashmir.

A Hurriyat statement said the shutdown has been called to “express people’s resentment and indignation against the brutal killing of young Adil Ahmed Magray by the Indian forces”.

“...After Friday prayers, peaceful protest will be held across the Valley against the killing,” it added.

The Hurriyat also asked people from all over south Kashmir to march to Adil’s residence in Shopian. Meanwhile, thousands attended Adil Ahmed’s funeral in his native Ganawpora village even as Shopian district observed a complete shutdown.

Late on Tuesday night, the authorities suspended 3G and 4G services, a precautionary measure that has now become common in Kashmir.

WEB GAG

Internet services were snapped on May 27 after the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen militant Sabzar Bhat and restored on June 2. It was the fourth instance of an Internet gag in Kashmir this year.

“Security forces cordoned off some houses on a specific input regarding the presence of militants at Ganawpora in Shopian,” a police statement said on Tuesday. “During the search operation, an unruly mob started heavy stone pelting on the forces and also a brief exchange of fire took place,” it said.

STUDENTS’ PROTEST AT MANY PLACES

Spontaneous protests erupted against the killing at some places in the Valley on Wednesday morning.

Clashes between security forces and students were reported from Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, a school in Pampore and a college in Handwara. Scores of protesters have been reportedly injured.

In an official statement the police said, “Today (Wednesday) students of IUST Awantipora and students of Higher Secondary School Pampore, both girls and boys, protested and indulged in stone-pelting on the forces. They also blocked national highway. In order to maintain peace , security forces dispersed them with maximum restraint.” “A large number of police personnel received injuries due to stone-pelting by the students in Namblabal Pampore and University Road Awantipora,” said the statement.

HURRIYAT HAS CALLED FOR A SHUTDOWN IN THE VALLEY AFTER FRIDAY PRAYERS