Kashmir shuts against Pulwama killings

Srinagar, May 01: Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday and authorities imposed restrictions in several parts of the valley to prevent protests against the killing of two militants and a civilian in Pulwama on Monday.
The Joint Hurriyat headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, had asked people to observe the shutdown.
On Monday, top Hizb ul Mujahideeen commander Sameer ‘Tiger’ and his associate Aqib Khan were killed during a four-hour-long gunfight in the district’s Drabgam village.
A teenage civilian, Shahid Khan, was shot dead and 15 others injured after forces used live ammunition, pellets and tear gas to chase away the protesters trying to disrupt the anti-militant operation.
On Tuesday, restrictions were imposed in old city areas of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R.Gunj and Safa Kadal while partial restrictions were also in force in uptown areas of Maisuma and Kralkhud.
All exams scheduled for Tuesday were postponed by the University of Kashmir.
Train services between north Kashmir’s Baramulla town and Bannihal town in the Jammu region too were cancelled.
Mobile Internet services have already been suspended across south Kashmir since Monday.
Shops, business establishments, public transport remained closed in Srinagar and all other district headquarters of the valley.
Top and middle rung Hurriyat leaders were put under house detention on this morning.
Reports said that heavy contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed outside Hyderpora residence of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Nigeen residence of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to prevent them from taking out any protest rally from their respective areas.
JKLF Chairman Yaseen Malik and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Sehraie too were restrained to move out by the government forces deployed outside their residences.
Among other pro-freedom leaders detained outside their residences included G A Gulzar Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Ashraf Laya.