Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 1: Around a dozen persons including three policemen were injured in clashes across Kashmir valley today where life remained paralysed due to curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and shut down in rest of the Valley over the killing of a youth in Srinagar last evening.
Curfew like restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar after the killing of 22 year old Bashir Ahmad in the alleged security forces firing at Nawa Kadal area of Old City last evening soon after the polling for Parliamentary constituency of Srinagar concluded yesterday.
The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, told Excelsior that curfew like restrictions will continue in old city areas of Srinagar as a precautionary measure on Friday.
The killing of youth last evening sparked widespread protests in parts of Srinagar with both the factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaz Omar Farooq and JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik, called for strike against the killing and government imposed curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar to prevent any further clashes.
Large number of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in riot gear and armed with assault rifles were deployed across the downtown to enforce restrictions on the movement of people. They erected barricades, laid concertina wires and deployed mobile bunkers at various places across old city area to restrict the civilian movement in Nowhatta, Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, and other parts of the old city.
A complete shutdown was observed against the killing of Bashir Ahmad with shops, schools, colleges and other commercial establishment shut and public transport was also off the roads and the work in banks and Government offices also remained affected.
Clashes broke out at Maisuma, Bemina and Narbal areas of the city in which three people sustained injuries. At Maisuma, a pedestrian identified as Umar Nazir of Gawkadal was injured after he was hit by a stone.
A non-local couple sustained injuries after their vehicle (JK01E – 3461) in which they were travelling was stoned by youth in Narbal on Srinagar-Gulmarg highway. They have been identified as Shalina Devi and Lakshman of Mumbai.
Six people were injured in Baramulla during clashes. Scores of youth assembled near Cement Bridge, SRTC Bridge, Khanpora Bridge in Baramulla to protest against the killing of Bashir. The protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF in the town ensuing clashes. The forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters and also fired pellets. At Azad Gunj, during clashes, four people sustained pellet injuries and they were shifted to hospital.
Clashes broke out in Sopore town of Baramulla at Batpora and Sangrama in which two persons were injured in clashes. Clashes were reported from Palhallan in Baramulla, but security forces restored calm.
Scores of people also clashed with Police and CRPF in Gulshan Chowk of Bandipora district in which three police men and equal number of protesters were injured. The protests also broke out at Hajin town of the district.
In Kupwara, youth resorted to minor stone-throwing at Rigipora. However, situation returned to normal amid shutdown.
A complete shutdown was also observed in central Kashmir’s Budgam and Ganderbal district.
In South Kashmir’s Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag, a complete shutdown was observed amid clashes at several places.
One person was injured at Drangbal in Pulwama district during clashes between youth and Government forces. The clashes also erupted at Litter, Muran Chowk, Samboora, Kakpora and Pampore and traffic on the National Highway remained disrupted in the morning at Pampore.
Clashes were also reported from Kralpora, Mocho and Ompora areas of Budgam district.
Meanwhile, all Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held today were postponed. Fresh dates for the postponed papers shall be notified separately, an official handout said.
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