1. Home
2. Front Page

Shutdown against Shopian killings hits life in Kashmir

MAJID NABI. Dated: 3/6/2018 3:28:20 PM

SRINAGAR, March 5: Separatists shutdown call against Shopian killings and curfew like restrictions imposed by authorities in parts of Srinagar city and elsewhere threw normal life out of gear in Kashmir valley today.
Call for shutdown was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq against the killing of six people including four civilians and two militants by army at Pahnoo village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district last night.
Authorities fearing protests imposed Curfew like restrictions in seven police station areas of Srinagar city including Safakadal, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Maisuma and Kralkhud.
Top separatist leaders were either arrested or placed under house detention, while JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested while leading a rally at Maisuma and later shifted to Central jail; Syed Ali Geelani continued to be under house arrest while Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was house detained this morning at his Nigeen residence here.
All the shops, business establishments remained closed while attendance in government and semi-government offices and banks was recorded thin with public transport off the roads, however skeletal movement of private vehicles and cabs could be seen on deserted roads.
All the educational institutions which were supposed to be opened today remained closed as a precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation.
Routine work in courts including remained suspended as the High Court Bar Association had asked lawyers to abstain from work as a mark of protest against Shopian killings.
Kashmir University also announced postponement of exams scheduled to be held on March 6 and 7 while exams of Islamic university of Science and Commerce (IUST) and BOSE on March 6 stand cancelled.
Roads leading to old city were blocked with iron barricades and concertina wires while all lanes and by lanes were seized with posses of police and paramilitary forces in riot gear manning streets.
The situation however remained peaceful in Srinagar barring stray incidents of stone pelting at Habbakadal and Nowgam areas.