Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 10: Kashmir valley today observed shutdown against the killing of a youth in Palhalan area of Baramulla district while authorities imposed restrictions for the second consecutive day today in parts of Srinagar and Palhalan to foil any attempts of breach of peace.
The 23-year old youth, Farooq Ahmad Bhat was critically injured along with two other persons after police opened fire on protesters in Palhalan yesterday. Farooq later succumbed to his injuries triggering protests and clashes.
Thousands of people today attended the funeral of the youth at Palhalan and protested against his killing.
Clashes erupted in Palhalan area soon after the funeral of youth. The protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF deployed in the area. The police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters. The intermittent clashes continued in the area throughout the day.
A Sub-Inspector (SI) of police identified as Khursheed Ahmad was injured after a stone hit him during clashes. They said a youth Muhammad Aamir of Tantraypora was also injured in the clashes.
The separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Nayeem Ahmad Khan had called for protests today against the killing of the youth.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in riot gear and armed with assault rifles were deployed across five Police Stations of Khanyar, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta and Khanyar in old city. They had erected barricades and laid concertina wires and placed armoured vehicles at various junctions and bridges of the old city.
Shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps were closed in the Civil Lines area of the City. The Government offices and banks recorded low attendance. However, few public and private vehicles were plying in uptown areas of the City.
Police had deployed its men in volatile Maisuma and Gaw Kadal localities of the city to prevent any law and order problem.
Though the situation was peaceful in the City throughout the day but clashes between police and protesters erupted at Batamaloo and HMT areas. However, no injury was reported.
In Sopore, the authorities had deployed police and CRPF. Protests in Arampora locality broke out and protesters clashed with Police and CRPF. Clashes were also reported from Sheeri in Baramulla.
In Khudwani and Qaimoh areas of Kulgam district, youth clashed with Police and CRPF in the afternoon.
The clashes also broke out at Kakapora area of Pulwama district. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Additional forces were deployed in the area to restore calm. Clashes were also erupted in Janglat Mandi area of Anantnag district.
In Bandipora district of north Kashmir, clashes were reported from Papchan, Naidkhai and Hajin. However, situation was immediately brought under control.
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