Srinagar, July 12: A complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley on Monday even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC remained in place in many parts of the city. The Hurriyat Conference (G), led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had asked people to observe a civil curfew today against the civilian killings at the hands of government forces for the past one month.
Normal life continued to be hit as shops, businesses, banks, courts and educational institutions remained closed. Public transport remained off the roads on most of the routes.
No protests or incidents of stone-pelting were reported anywhere in the old city where officials said prohibitory orders remained in force. A heavy deployment of policemen and central paramilitary troopers was seen patrolling the streets in the downtown localities. They had sealed the entry points to the old city areas by barricades and razor wires.
In Varmul, a youth was injured when CRPF troopers opened fire at him near Delina. Witnesses said that CRPF opened fire at Sameer Ahmad Sheikh of Delina without any provocation. CRPF has claimed that he attempted to hurl stones at them.
Sameer received a bullet injury in his ankle and was shifted to a hospital where doctors operated upon him and later discharged him after treatment. Mild clashes broke out between protesters and CRPF as former poured on to the streets and staged anti-government demonstrations. The situation in Varmul town remained peaceful. A complete shutdown was observed in the town. Shops and businesses remained closed while vehicular transport also stayed off roads. Reports of shutdown also poured in from Sopur, Kupwara, Handwara, Ganderbal and Bandipora.
In south Kashmir’s Islamabad town, prohibitory order remained enforced in the old town while a shutdown was observed elsewhere.
Police and CRPF men were deployed in strength to stave off protests.
Sources said that in a crackdown on people who have taken part in recent protests, police has arrested at least 50 youth, most of which are in the age group of 15-20 years.
They said a number of youth have been charged with attempt to murder under Section 307 RPC.
In Pulwama and Kakpora towns in south Kashmir, the Hurriyat call evoked almost total response even as the situation remained peaceful. Shutdown was also observed in Shopian, Tral, Awantipora and Pampore.
During curfew relaxation at Pulwama and Kakpora heavy deployment of police and CRPF continued throughout the day.
Witnesses at Kakpora said that three youth roaming in the market were picked up by cops while movement of private transport on Kakpora-Galandhar road was thin as groups of youth placed barricades on the road near Samboora.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST