Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 10: Kashmir valley observed shutdown today against the killings of eight persons in Budgam and Ganderbal districts on Sunday in violence during by-poll in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.
Security forces were deployed in strength at sensitive places across Kashmir to prevent flare up in violence. In Srinagar’s old city area, security forces had imposed curfew like restrictions. However, they were later eased out.
Shops, business establishments, schools and offices remained closed while the public transport was off the roads. However, some private vehicles were plying in Lal Chowk and Jehangir Chowk areas.
Separatists had called for two day strike against the killing of civilians during by-poll violence. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces at several places across Kashmir valley.
In Natipora area of Srinagar clashes broke out this afternoon following which the security forces used tear smoke shells to disperse stone throwing protesters.
Clashes were also reported from Shalteng and Narbal areas in the outskirts of Srinagar. Security forces fired tear smoke to disperse the protesters.
Clashes also erupted between youth and forces in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district after people protested against the arrest of youth by police on charges of stone pelting.
Several youth were arrested in the Gopalpora area of Kulgam district ahead of the by-polls. After the arrests, the youth took to streets and started pelting stones.
Minor clashes and protests also erupted in Ganderbal areas after the burial of a youth Omar Farooq who was killed yesterday evening after the by-poll in Ganderbal’s Baroosa village.
Miscreants today torched Middle School Padar Pora in Shopian area of South Kashmir where polling station was set up for by-polls in Anantnag Parliamentary seat. A Government school at Ayan Rawalpora in Shopian was set ablaze by miscreants this evening.
The Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. In Banderpora, Awantipora in Pulwama district, a Panchyat Ghar was set ablaze this evening.
Meanwhile, a police officer said that to check the spread of rumours, authorities have decided to suspend the Internet facility in the entire Valley till April 12.
The railway authorities today said that the train services between Banihal and Baramulla have been suspended till April 12 due to apprehensions of violence.
A driver was killed this evening in Tengpora area of Srinagar as he lost control of his vehicle due to stone pelting. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to injuries.
Eight protesters were killed when the security forces opened fire during the voting process in the Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary by-poll on Sunday.
Of these, seven were killed in Budgam and one died in Ganderbal district. Mobs attacked the polling stations, damaging the EVMs and ransacking the polling stations, at nearly 100 places in Budgam.
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