Life disrupted in parts of Kashmir against Kulgam killings

Srinagar: Life was disrupted in parts of Kashmir Valley in wake of sit-in protest called by Joint Resistance leadership against the “carnage” in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, where seven civilians were killed after government forces killed three militants in a gunfight.

All shops, educational institutions, banks and fuel stations remained closed at historic Lal Chowk while authorities had made Lal Chowk and Amira Kadal out of bounds for the people and vehicles. The sit-in protest called by JRL also witnessed thin flow of traffic on the otherwise busy roads of this capital city.

In Srinagar’s Old City, restrictions were clamped to foil any protests against the Kulgam killings. In Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Gojwara, Khanyar, Safa Kadal and other areas of the Old City, government forces were keeping a tight vigil to keep protesters at bay, witnesses said. At many places, forces have laid razor wire to restrict movement of people.

Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani continued to remain under house arrest. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq defied house detention and came out from his residence. Police, however, swung into action and detained him. Mirwaiz told Reporters that India seeks pleasure in killing people. He said the dogmatic approach on part of India is adding to the sufferings of people.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik along with other separatist leaders was arrested by police near Amira Kadla when he tried to take out a march towards Lal Chowk. Malik was forcibly put into vehicle amid high pitched freedom slogans from his supporters. Senior separatist leaders including Javaid Ahmed Mir and Yasmeen Raja while also detained at police station Kothi Bagh.

Anjuamn Shari Shian President and senior separatist leader Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi continued to remain under house arrest for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. A spokesperson from the organization while condemning the house detention of Aga Syed Hasan said that such tactics are not going to break the resolve of common people and separatist leaders of Kashmir.

Reports from South Kashmir said that life was completely disrupted in four districts, viz, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and Anantnag.

Clashes erupted in some parts of Kashmir Valley. Army according to reports resorted to aerial firing after they were pelted with stones in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Reports said an army party was moving through Wathoora village when it was pelted with stones by some youth. The army men, they said, fired several shots in air to chase away the protesting youth.

Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Padshahi Bagh and Batamaloo areas of Srinagar city.

Pertinently, on Sunday, seven civilians were killed in Laroo village in a blast caused by explosives left at the site of an encounter in which government forces killed three local militants. (CNS)