Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 19: Normal life in Kashmir valley was affected today due to strike called by separatists and traders against the death of a truck conductor yesterday in petrol bomb attack in Udhampur 10 days ago.
The truck conductor, Zahid Rasool Bhat of Botengo in district Anantnag succumbed to his injuries at Safdarjung in Delhi. His body that was brought to his native village last evening was buried today. Thousands of people attended his last rites despite rains and strict restrictions imposed by the authorities.
Soon after the funeral was over, scores of youth pelted stones on Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) that was deployed in the area. Police fired dozens of teargas shells and pepper grenades to disperse the protesters. However, the protesters offered stiff resistance and continued stone-pelting throughout the day despite rains. Over a dozen youth and six police men were injured in the clashes.
The protesters also clashed with police and CRPF at Bijbehara township of Anantnag district. The police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
Police had imposed restrictions in Anantnag and Bijbehara towns of Anantnag district to prevent any violence. They had also blocked the National Highway with concertina wires to prevent any movement of vehicles. Later, the protesters also blocked the National Highway and clashed with police and CRPF.
The authorities also imposed strict restrictions in areas falling under five police stations of Old City as precautionary measures. These police stations include Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Rainawari and Khanyar. Hundreds of police and CRPF men were deployed in Old City and Maisuma area. They had erected concertina wires and armoured vehicles on main roads of the city to prevent movement of the traffic.
Additional police and CRPF men were also deployed at sensitive places of Srinagar to prevent any violence. A group of protesters in Habba Kadal area of downtown took to streets and pelted stones on police and CRPF. However, police and CRPF chased them away.
The clashes between Police, CRPF and protesters erupted at various places in Old City soon after the restrictions were lifted. Police fired teargas and pepper gas to disperse the protesters.
The shutdown was also observed in other parts of the Valley. The roads and streets in the district headquarters wore a deserted look. However, the overall situation remained peaceful throughout the day.
Separatist Hurriyat Conference chairmen, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for strike against the killing of conductor.
The shutdown was also called by Kashmir Economic Alliance and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association has called for complete wheel-jam.
All Kashmir University, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education examinations scheduled to be held today were postponed.
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