Srinagar, Jun 02: Authorities on Saturday imposed strict restrictions in parts of Srinagar downtown after the death of a youth who was hit by a paramilitary CRPF vehicle during clashes with stone-pelting protesters yesterday.
Most shops, business establishments and fuel stations in Srinagar remained closed as the separatists — Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik — has called for shutdown in Kashmir today to protest against civilian killings.
There were reports of similar shutdowns in other parts of the Valley.
The authorities imposed a curfew in Nowhatta area in Srinagar’s old city, where the clash took place yesterday. Restrictions under section 144 of the CrPc, which prohibits the gathering of people, were in force in six other police station areas of the city – Rainawari, Safakadal, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Maisuma and Kralkhud.
The curbs were imposed as a “precautionary measure to maintain law and order” after the youth’s death in a hospital around midnight.
Buses didn’t run in Srinagar following the strike call. But private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in the areas where there were no restrictions.
Private schools were shut in the city.
Similar reports of the strike being observed were received from other district headquarters in the Valley.
Train services in Kashmir were also stopped for the day.
The authorities also suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar and Budgam districts while the network speed was reduced in four south Kashmir districts.
After the Friday prayers ended at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area yesterday, a group of youths held protests and later indulged in stone pelting clashes with the government forces, an official said. He said some protesters attacked a CRPF vehicle, which hit Kaiser Ahmad Bhat (21) and another man.
They were taken to SKIMS hospital at Soura, where Bhat later died.
Meanwhile, police today booked unidentified stone-pelters for attempt to murder and rioting while the CRPF driver was charged with rash driving in connection with yesterday’s clashes in Nowhatta that led to death of a youth.
“Two cases have been registered in the Nowhatta incident,” a police official said.
He said an FIR was registered against unidentified persons under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (rioting), 149, 152, 336 and 427 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
Another FIR was registered against the CRPF driver under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 RPC, the official said.
He said further investigations have been taken up.
