Kashmir observed shutdown on Friday to mourn the civilian killings, which took place during the past few days. The strike call was given by the joint separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and incarcerated Muhammad Yasin Malik.
A civilian Arshid Ahmed who was injured on Monday duringprotests against the alleged rape of a minor Bandipora girl, succumbed toinjuries on Wednesday. Two civilians Rayees Ahmed Dar and Ishtiyaq Ahmad Bhatwere killed during separate encounters at Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmiron Thursday, while another civilian Nayeem Ahmed Shah was shot dead byunidentified men in Bhaderwah.
The shutdown call disrupted the normal life across Kashmiras all the commercial establishments, schools and colleges remained closed forthe day. The city centre Lal Chowk wore a deserted look and traffic movementremained thin.
No Friday prayers allowed at Jamia Masjid
The administration imposed curbs in old city under section144. No Friday congregational prayers were allowed at the historic JamiaMasjid. Disallowing the Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan at thecentral Masjid evoked sharp criticism from the Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjidthat termed closure of the Masjid on the “second Friday of fasting month as thedirect interference into the religious affairs.”
According to a witness, scores of security forces personnelwere deployed around the Jamia Masjidwhere Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was supposed to delivera Friday sermon.
The witness said that curbs under section 144 were strictlyenforced in Nowhatta, Hawal, Gojwara, Khanyar, Mahraj Gunj and Safa Kadalareas. “The restrictions were, however, stringent in areas around Jamia Masjidonly while as in other parts of downtown, people could be seen walking andtravelling in vehicles,” said another witness.
South, north Kashmir
Soon after the congregational Friday prayers ended in southKashmir, youth in groups hit the streets in old town Anantnag, Kadipora,Malakhnag and Cheeni chowk and staged protests that were followed by stonepelting, a witness said.
He said that youth engaged security forces in pitchedbattles. “The security forces used mild force to disperse the protestors,” thewitness added.
In Tral area of Pulwama district, a protest rally was takenout against the civilian killings. The protestors later disbursed offpeacefully. In Pulwama area, peoplecontinued to visit the house of slain civilian Rayees Ahmed Dar in largenumbers, another witness said.
Meanwhile, shutdown affected the normal life in Baramulla,Kupwara and Bandipora districts in north Kashmir and Ganderbal, Budgamdistricts in central Kashmir.