Amidst strict restrictions and curbs, Kashmir observed shutdown for the second running day on Saturday against the killing of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind chief Zakir Musa, who was slain in a gunfight with the security forces at Dadsara Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday evening.
Soon after Musa’s killing authorities imposed restrictionsin Srinagar’s old city and snapped the mobile internet service across Kashmir.The Valley observed a spontaneous shutdown on Friday.
The shutdown call to mourn Musa’s killing and against themysterious killing of a civilian Zahoor Ahmed of Pulwama district for today wasgiven by Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Zahoor wasbrother of active Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Irfan Ahmed, of Naira, Pulwama.
An official said, “Restrictions were imposed in parts ofSrinagar and few districts in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to foilprotests.”
The mobile high speed internet services remained snapped forthe third consecutive day in the Valley. However, the authorities restored 2Ginternet services in few districts on late Saturday evening. “Restorationprocess will depend upon the situation,” said an official.
CLASHES IN OLD CITY
The commercial hub of Srinagar, Lal Chowk, remained closedon Saturday as all the business establishments, private institutions and shopsremained shut for the day.
The street vendors too did not set their makeshift stalls atthe city centre.
A witness said stringent curbs remained in place in majorityof old city areas, including Rainwarai, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta andMahraj Gunj, while the security forces personnel wearing riot gear werepatrolling the streets to thwart protests.
A witness said that amid curbs, youth in various parts ofthe old city hit the streets and fought pitched battles with the policemen.
“Clashes broke out at Habba Kadal, Safa Kadal and Noorbaghareas. The youth pelted security forces with stones. The security forcepersonnel responded by firing tear gas shells. The ding-dong battles betweenthe two sides continued till late in the evening,” a witness said.
Clashes between youth and policemen were also witnessed atSoura, 90-feet and Hawal areas, the witness added.
At Padshahibagh area in uptown here, youth had blocked theroad by placing logs and rocks to prevent public transport from plying, anotherwitness said.
Soon after the withdrawal of security forces in the evening,scores of youth hit the streets at Nawa Kadal, Noorbagh, Safa Kadal, MalikSahab, Sekidafar and Eidgah in old city and pelted security forces with stones.
“The forces responded by firing dozens of tear gas shells todisperse them. Intermittent clashes were on in different parts of the old citytill late in the evening,” said Reyaz Ahmed, a local resident.
CALL EVOKES RESPONSE IN KUPWARA, BARAMULLA, BANDIPORA
The shutdown call, according to sources, evoked completeresponse in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts in north Kashmir.
TRAIN SERVICES SUSPENDED
The train services on the Baramulla-Banihal track remainedsuspended for the second consecutive day today, an official said.
He said that as and when the situation improves, theservices will be resumed without any delay. “The services were suspended as aprecautionary measure,” he added.
AMID RESTRICTIONS, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO THRONG MUSA’S RESIDENCE
Massive restrictions were placed in south Kashmir districtseven as protests and clashes erupted in several parts of Tral, Awantipora,Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama areas.
Complete shutdown was observed on second consecutive dayacross entire southern Kashmir.
All shops, business establishments, educationalinstitutions, government and private offices remain closed while the publictransport remained off the roads.
Authorities had imposed restrictions in south Kashmir toprevent people from taking out rallies and reaching Noorpora, native village ofMusa.
An official said that contingents of police and paramilitarymen were deployed in “volatile” areas including Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Traland Anantnag.
Many roads leading to Tral were restricted with armouredvehicles to prevent people from staging protests. The nakas were set up atdifferent places to prevent people from entering Tral.
Contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployedat all the entry and exit points. The CRPF and police were deployed in thelanes and by lanes across south.
During the day taranas were played in many Masjids, askingpeople to come out and take out rallies towards Tral.
Witnesses said youth pelted forces with stones at main townShopian, Nowdal Tral and main town Anantnag. Forces lobbed tear smoke shells onprotesters. The pitched battles continued throughout the day.
Four women including a handicapped lady were allegedlythrashed by the force personnel at Pinglish village in Tral.
When contacted Deputy Inspector General South Kashmir AtulGoel said the allegations are being looked into.
Despite strict curbs in place, thousands of people managedto reach the residence of Zakir Musa and offered prayers for him.
They also expressed sympathy and solidarity with his family.
People also visited Dardsara, where gunfight took place onThursday.