Srinagar, Sep 28: Kashmir valley Friday observed a complete shutdown against the killing of a civilian youth who was allegedly shot dead by government forces during a cordon and search operation in Srinagar’s Qamarwari area on Thursday.
The shutdown was called by Joint Hurriyat Leadership, comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik.
Most of the educational institutes remained shut and government offices too witnessed a thin attendance.
All shops, commercial establishments were closed in capital city Srinagar while public transport was off the roads.
Early Thursday morning, forces allegedly shot at one Saleem Malik during a CASO in Noorbagh area of Qamarwari killing him instantly.
Reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters of the valley.
JKLF chief Yasin Malik was arrested to prevent him from leading any protests against the killing of the civilian.
A JKLF spokesman said that Malik was arrested from his Maisuma residence and lodged at Kothibagh police station.
Authorities on Friday placed Hurriyat (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too under house arrest to prevent him from leading any protest rallies against the killing of the civilian.
A heavy contingent of the police arrived at Nigeen residence of the Mirwaiz and placed him under house arrest, said a spokesman.
Mirwaiz was planning to lead a rally from Jama Masjid to Noorbagh after Friday prayers.
He lashed out at the authorities for not allowing congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar for the second consecutive week.
Mirwaiz took to Twitter and said that the “cycle of state killings and repression continues” in Kashmir.
He also said that it was the 15thtime in 2018 that Kashmiri Muslims were barred from offering Friday prayers at the historic mosque.
“Cycle of state killing & repression continues. Muslims barred for the 2nd consecutive week& 15th this year from offering Friday prayers at #JamaMasjid,leadership& activists placed under detention, CASO continues. Meanwhile, State claims “establishing democracy at grass root level”!” tweeted Mirwaiz.
Meanwhile, thousands of mourners on Friday attended the last rites of slain militant Sheeraz Ahmad who was killed along with his associate in a gunfight with government forces in Panzan village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday.
Reports said that people from different areas of the district including men, women, and children assembled at slain’s ancestral village Kralwari and offered the funeral prayers. He was later buried at his ancestral graveyard in the village.
Witness said that people from different areas of the district are visiting the slain’s residence to offer condolences
Earlier, two militants, Sheraz Ahmed and his associate Irfan Ahmed Dar were killed during an encounter with government forces in Panzan area of Budgam.
Discover more from The Kashmir Monitor
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
