Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 9: A youth was killed and two others were injured today when police allegedly opened fire on a group of stone throwing protesters who were protesting against nocturnal raids ahead of anniversary of Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru at Palhalan in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Reports said that a group of youth took to streets and protested against the nocturnal raids conducted by police in the area last night.
The protesters clashed with police and para-military CRPF forces in the area and police fired teargas shells and pellets to disperse protesters. As the situation turned volatile, police allegedly opened fire resulting in injuries to three persons Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat and Zahid Ahmad Bhat.
The injured were removed to hospital where Farooq Ahmad Bhat, 23, alias Prince (son of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat of Baghat Mohalla Palhalan succumbed to injuries while two others are critical.
A police spokesman said here that today evening in a law and order situation at village Palhalan, Pattan two persons sustained injuries in a firing incident. “One injured Farooq Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat resident of Bhagat Mohalla, Palhalan succumbed to injuries on way to hospital. Another injured person Riyaz Ahamad Bhat of Palhalan is undergoing treatment in hospital. Police has taken cognizance into this highly regrettable and unfortunate incident. FIR has been registered into the matter”, the spokesman added.
The spokesman said that the incident is being investigated and all concerned are being questioned to ascertain the facts.
DIG North Kashmir, Gareeb Das told Excelsior that they have lodged an FIR and investigations are on and those responsible for excessive use of force in law and order situation at Palhalan that led to death of a youth will be prosecuted.
As the news of the youth’s killing spread, large number of people took to streets in Palhalan and its adjoining areas to protest against the killing. The protesters clashed with police and CRPF resulting in injuries to five policemen including Hawaldar Shamsdin and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) man.
Reports said that a police party had raided house of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat in New Colony, Palhalan last night. They said the police tried to arrest Ashiq Ahmad, his son, for his alleged participation in stone-throwing but family resisted. The family alleges that police beat up Ghulam Mohammad Bhat and Yaqub Bhat.
Kashmir valley today observed a shutdown on the second hanging anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar and North Kashmir.
The strike was called by almost all the separatist leaders and groups and the authorities imposed restrictions in areas falling under five police stations of MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainawari and Khanyar.
Police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed across the downtown who imposed restrictions on public movement by erecting mobile bunkers and concertina wires on bridges and junctions. However, restrictions were eased in the afternoon.
In civil lines of Srinagar police and CRPF were deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any law and order problem.
Shops, commercial establishments and petrol pumps were closed in the City. The government offices and banks recorded very low attendance.
The shutdown was also observed in other districts of the Valley on the Guru hanging anniversary. The Sopore town in north Kashmir, the native Town of Afzal Guru, also observed a shutdown. The authorities, however, had not imposed restrictions in the town.
As the Police and CRPF retreated from old city area of Srinagar this evening, groups of youth took to streets in several areas including at Nawab Bazar and resorted to stone pelting. Police fired teargas shells to disperse them. The clashes were also reported from Maisuma area.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Hurriyat Conference (G), chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani have called for a strike call tomorrow against the killing of the youth.
Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, chairman of JKLF Yasin Malik and National Front chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan have also called for strike.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Talat Parvez has set up an Enquiry Committee to investigate the unfortunate death of a youth in Palhalan today. The Enquiry Committee will be headed by Sub-District Magistrate Pattan. The Enquiry Committee has been directed to submit their report at an earliest. The Deputy Commissioner informed that an FIR has already been launched and strict action will be taken against the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has expressed grief over the sad demise of the youth in Palhalan. He has assured the relatives of the deceased for every possible help and assured them that justice will be done in this matter and the culprits behind this unfortunate act will be taken to task.
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