1. Home
2. Front Page

Shutdown against ‘custodial Killing’ hits life in Kashmir

MAJID NABI. Dated: 3/22/2019 12:08:08 AM

SRINAGAR, Mar 20: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) shutdown against alleged killing of Awantipora youth in police custody threw life out of gear in Kashmir valley including in Srinagar city on Wednesday.
Complete shutdown amid stringent restrictions in parts of Srinagar city and south Kashmir was observed in the valley in response to the JRL call against killing of a school teacher from Awantipora during custody.
Rizwan Pandit, son of Assadullah Pandit, a JeI member from south Kashmir who was working as a principal in a private school at Awantipora died in police custody on Tuesday morning triggering massive protests and condemnation from both mainstream and political groups.
The 29 years old youth according to the family was picked up by police for questioning on Sunday evening and later shifted to Cargo camp at Srinagar where he died.
Teacher’s death triggered a fresh wave of anger across Kashmir, even as the administration ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
Joint Resistance leadership (JRL) a conglomerate of separatist groups comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for complete shutdown in Kashmir against killing of youth.
All the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutions and fuel stations remained closed across valley and traffic too was off the roads. Skeletal movement of private vehicles however could be seen on deserted roads amid fresh snowfall.
Government and semi government offices, post offices, banks and courts recorded thin attendance of employees due to non-availability of public transport.
Authorities fearing protests imposed stringent restrictions in parts of Srinagar city with posses of police and CRPF manning deserted roads. All the roads leading to old city were blocked with razor wires and iron barricades to prevent public movement.
Major market places including city centre Lal Chowk, Batamaloo, Hari Singh High Street and Jamia market witnessed additional deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF in the wake of JRL protest call.
Authorities also suspended high speed mobile internet in south Kashmir parts while as the speed was reduced to 2G in central Kashmir districts including summer capital Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal.
Authorities also suspended Baramulla-Banihal Train services as a precautionary measure while examination scheduled at several colleges and universities today were postponed.
Top separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani who represents Hurriyat Conference (G) continued to be under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence here while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who heads his faction of Hurriyat Conference (M) was placed under house arrest at his residence at Nigeen.
Reports of shutdown were also received from south Kashmir districts including Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam wherein JRL call evoked complete response.
Barring stray incidents of stone pelting at few places the situation remained comparatively calm in Pulwama and Shopian districts. Unprecedented security arrangements were made to thwart any attempt of protests by people in twin districts amid complete shutdown.
Reports reaching here from north Kashmir said that complete shutdown was observed in Kupwara, Bandipora and Handwara districts.