Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 13: Major towns in South Kashmir were put under curfew for second day today following protests against the killing of five persons in alleged security forces firing in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Curfew was re-imposed yesterday in Shopian and later in was extended to Kulgam and Kakpora town in Pulwama after protests erupted against the killings.
Curfew was extended to Anantnag, Bijbehara and Pampore towns this morning as a precautionary measure as separatist leader Syeed Ali Shah Geelani had called for protests after Friday prayers.
Police and paramilitary CRPF men wearing riot gear were deployed in Shopian, Kulgam, Kaimoh, Pulwama and Kakpora townships and some other adjoining villages to foil any attempts of protests by locals.
Police and CRPF had erected barricades and mobile bunkers were placed at many places and people were not allowed to venture out. However, protest demonstrations were witnessed in many villages in Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam after Friday prayers.
A police spokesman said here that curfew was imposed in Shopian , Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Bijbehara towns and Kakpora. “Miscreants tried to disrupt normal life at Papchan, Naidkhai, Barsu, Maisuma and in some places in Baramulla district by pelting stones. Police exercised maximum restraint. Twelve persons including 10 Police and CRPF were injured”, the spokesman added.
The clashes turned violent at Shopian when a group of youth pounced on a cop and beat him severely. The injured cop identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat was immediately shifted to Hospital for treatment.
At least five persons suffered minor injuries in clashes that erupted in other areas of Shopian including Bungam, Gagran, Memendar.
Youth took to streets at Kadi Kadal and Saraf Kadal in old city area of Srinagar against the Shopian killings. However Police and CRPF men deployed in the area dispersed the protesters.
Protests were also reported from Kashmir University after Friday prayers against the Shopian killings. However, they dispersed off peacefully.
In North Kashmir, reports of peaceful protests were also received from Bus Stand Baramulla, Khanpora Bridge, Main Chowk Sopore, Naidkhai Sumbal in Bandipora and Jamia Masjid Kupwara against the killings.
Police foiled the attempt of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik to stage a sit-in at Lal Chowk this afternoon.
Malik and his supporters took out a protest march from Maisuma towards Lal Chowk. However, a huge contingent of police intercepted them and didn’t allow them to march ahead.
Police detained at least 10 activists of JKLF including its chairman Yasin Malik. Tension gripped in Maisuma area with youth forming small groups and clashed with force personnel after Malik’s arrest. Police foiled tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
The protestors are demanding removal of the camp and arrest of the personnel involved in firing incident last week that left four persons dead including three civilians.
The State Government yesterday ordered a magisterial probe into the death of five persons in Shopian and directed the District Magistrate to submit the report within one month.
The Government also directed DGP Ashok Prasad to replace the CRPF personnel at Gagran camp with Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police.
The authorities today placed chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syeed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwiaz Omar Farooq under house arrest.
“He was not even allowed to offer the Friday prayers. More policemen were deployed outside Geelani Sahib’s residence,” said a spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (G).
Mirwaiz Omar Farooq was also placed under house arrest today and barred from addressing Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid.
Railway services from Baramulla to Banihal were suspended today due to apprehension of trouble. In the morning trains were running normally but were stopped in the afternoon.
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