Srinagar, July 18: Shutdown called by Hurriyat Conference (G) and curfew imposed by authorities paralyzed life in Srinagar on Sunday, a day after normalcy was restored for half a day. A youth sustained bullet injury in north Kashmir’s Sopur town while protests erupted in Varmul and Pampore areas.
The Hurriyat (G), spearheading the ‘Quit Jammu and Kashmir movement” had urged people to observe shutdown against the civilian killings and against the “atrocities committed on Kashmiris.” It had also urged people to stage protests in Masjids. However, authorities responded by imposing curfew and restrictions across the city.
Deployed in large numbers, police and paramilitary troopers imposed strict curfew in the volatile old city.
Police and CRPF men had blocked roads at several junctions and intersections in the old city. “They didn’t honour the curfew passes issued by the district administration,” locals alleged. Officials, however, said they imposed prohibitory orders in most areas as a precautionary measure.
After nearly three weeks of curfew and shutdowns, summer capital, especially the commercial hub Lal Chowk, had witnessed huge rush of people on Saturday after the strike was called for a half day, during which people thronged marketplaces to stock up essentials.
While the situation remained calm during the day, protests erupted in several uptown and downtown localities in the evening when the police and paramilitary deployment was withdrawn.
The rest of towns and district headquarters also remained shut.

SOPUR YOUTH INJURED
Authorities had imposed curfew like restrictions in Sopur. However, late in the evening protests broke out at several localities in the town. Police and CRPF first baton charged and lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters, who retaliated with stones triggering clashes. “Forces responded by opening fire. A youth Firdous Ahmad of Khushallmatoo was injured in the firing. He was first shifted to a local hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar,” witnesses said. “ Bullet had passed through his leg.”
Protests also broke out in Pampore town of Pulwama district where locals took out a procession from Namblabal to Kadlabal. People raised pro-freedom slogans during protests. The protesters later dispersed off peacefully.
Locals staged protests at Murran in Pulwama. Police later cane charged them.

ALTAF BABA ADDS FROM VARMUL
Authorities imposed strict restrictions in north Kashmir’s Varmul town on Sunday to prevent people from staging demonstrations against the death of a 13-year old boy Faizan Rafiq who drowned into a river after he was allegedly chased by the force personnel on Saturday evening.
All the three bridges—Cement Bridge, Transport Yard Bridge, Azadgunj Bridge—connecting old town with the civil line areas were blocked by Police and CRPF men.
In old town, hundreds of youths took to streets demanding action against the erring cops responsible for Faizan’s drowning.
Protesters said that the incident could have been avoided as there were no severe clashes at the time of the incident. “A group of small kids was on the bridge. There weren’t any severe clashes going on. The reaction of cops was unwarranted and ruthless. The incident should be probed and the guilty persons should be booked on murder charges” said Manzoor Ahmad of old town Varmul.
“Cops could have arrested Faizan as he was not holding any deadly weapon in his hand. Those responsible for pushing Faizan into river should be hanged,” said victim’s  elder sister.
Meanwhile, efforts were on to retrieve victim’s body. A boat from the navy had also been pressed in to the service.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST