Islamabad (Anantnag), June 21: Amid sporadic clashes a partial shutdown was observed in this south Kashmir town Thursday to protest the arrest of nine youth and Ummat-e-Islami chairman Qazi Ahmad Yasir.
Reports said that shops and other business establishments in the old town areas of Malakhnag, Cheeni Chowk, Reeshi Bazar, Janglat Mandi and Dangerpora as well as Lal Chowk remained closed however in the civil line area of Khannabal-Pahalgam (KP) road of the town, shops remained open. Traffic in the town also plied normally. Early in the morning sporadic incidents of stone pelting were also witnessed in some old town areas.  “Youth pelted stones and bricks on police, however the cops chased them away,” eyewitnesses said.
They said that police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers in the town to control the situation.
Shutdown was observed to protest the arrest of nine youth along with Ummat-e-Islami chairman, Qazi Yasir who were rounded by the police in connection with the clashes that erupted on Tuesday after the conclusion of rally at Eidgah organized to commemorate the death anniversary of party founder Late Dr Qazi Nisar Ahmad.
Yasir according to his family members had visited the police station on Wednesday to seek the release of the detained youth. However, he too was booked and subsequently detained.
SHO Anantnag, Ashfaq Ahmad, said the situation is under control, the traffic is plying normally and the shops too have been partially open in the town.
“Qazi Yasir and nine other people have been detained for disrupting peace in the town. These youth were involved in stone pelting that took place on Tuesday and they are still in our custody,” the SHO said.

HURRIYAT (G) DENOUNCES ARREST
Hurriyat Conference (G) strongly condemned the arrest of Qazi Yasir and other youth, terming it unjustified and undemocratic step by the government.
“Qazi Yasir was also arrested during 2010 protests, booked under PSA and lodged in Kote Balwal Jail for over one year. Now Yasir has again been arrested only for his crime that he has organized a seminar in memory of his late father Qazi Nisar,” said a Hurriyat spokesman in a statement today.
Senior separatist leaders including Zaffar Akbar Bhat of the Salvation Movement and National Front Chairman Nayeem Khan also condemned the arrests.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST