Kulgam, July 23: Amid protests, a complete shutdown was observed in this South Kashmir district for the third straight day against the alleged abduction and rape of a 25-year old woman by army men.
 Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in huge numbers in Kulgam town as well as Damhal Hanjipora and Manzgam villages following the violent clashes on Friday in which a dozen civilians and half a dozen cops were injured.
 However, sporadic clashes were witnessed in Manzgam village during morning and evening hours resulting in minor injuries to two cops. In Manzigam village people alleged that there was an undeclared curfew in the area.
 “The movement of the people was completely curtailed by the forces and only elderly people were allowed to move,” said the locals.
 However, a police official said that there was no curfew in the area but the deployment was strengthened following yesterday’s violence in Manzigam. In Kulgam town, shops, business establishments, public and private offices were closed while traffic was off the roads. Clashes were also witnessed between government forces and youth at regular intervals in the town.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST