Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 15: Kashmir valley today observed shutdown against the killing of two civilians in Pulwama while authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar while Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, ordered magisterial inquiry into the killings.
The Deputy Commissioner Pulwama today ordered a time-bound magisterial inquiry into the death of two civilians, including a woman, in Kakapora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district yesterday.
District Magistrate Pulwama, Niraj Kumar, who ordered the probe, has appointed Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, KAS, Additional District Magistrate Pulwama to enquire in 15 days the circumstances that led to the killing of Shaista Hamid daughter of Abdul Hamid resident of Lelhar and Dansih Farooq Mir son of Farooq Ahmad Mir resident of Ratnipora and injuries to the civilians.
“The general public is informed that any person having any personal knowledge/information of the incident may appear before inquiry officer in his office at District Administrative Complex Pulwama to record his/her statement on any working day between 10 am to 4 pm within a period of six days. In case any person desires, he can also file a detailed affidavit duly attested during this period”, the inquiry officer said.
Danish Rashid and Shaista were killed during an encounter in Kakapora area of the district in which a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Adil Wagay was also killed. The funeral of Adil Wagay was held today and was attended by thousands of people.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in riot gear were deployed across the Old City areas falling under five police stations including Khanyar, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta and Khanyar.
They had erected concertina wires and armoured vehicles at various junctions of old city. The lanes and by-lanes of the downtown wore a deserted look as no movement of the people was allowed.
Curbs were also imposed in Maisuma police station area and sealed all the exit and entry points. Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed at Maisuma, Gawkadal, Exchange Road and Red Cross Road.
The authorities also imposed restrictions in parts of Pulwama district including Kakapora, Lelhar and Main Town to prevent protests. However, scores of people defied the restrictions and clashed with police and CRPF. Police fired teargas, pellets and pepper grenades against the protesters leaving seven persons injured. Two of the injured persons were shifted to Srinagar for treatment
The shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps were closed in the Civil Lines areas of the City. The attendance in Government offices and banks was thin. Traffic was off the roads, however, fewer public and private vehicles were plying in uptown areas of the City.
Clashes broke out between protesters and police at Rawalpora, Batamaloo, Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal and Nowgam areas of the city against the Pulwama killings. Police used teargas and pepper gas shells against the protesters while a Rakshak vehicle of police turned turtle at Nowgam.
The clashes also erupted in Khudwani Kulgam, Anantnag, Barsoo in Ganderbal and in Palhallan.
Meanwhile, clashes broke out in several Old City localities this evening soon after Government forces started to retreat after enforcing restrictions throughout the day, local sources said. However, no one was reported injured. Reports of shutdown were received from all parts of the Valley.
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Yasin Malik was today detained by police but he was later taken to hospital.
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