Hajin observes shutdown after curfew lifted

Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed Wednesday in Hajin town of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district to protest alleged excesses by government forces, even as the curfew clamped after the killing of a teenager on Friday last, was lifted after four days.
All shops, offices, business establishments, and banks remained closed while public transport was off the roads in Hajin town, which has been on boil since Friday last following the killing of 18-year-old Farhat Ahmad Dar by the forces.
Curfew was lifted from the town and contingents of CRPF troopers and police were called back to their barracks. However, later in the day, groups of youth assembled at Main Chowk and clashed with the police. Police however did not retaliate. Later, protesters dispersed off peacefully.
Farhat, son of Ghulam Rasool Dar, of Shah Gund, Hajin, was shot in the chest by the forces near Higher Secondary School Naidkhai. A Class 12 student, Farhat succumbed to his injuries on way to the Public Health Centre (PHC) Pattan. His death intensified protests in the area leaving at least seven people injured. The district authorities have announced a probe and assured strict action against the guilty.
“A complete shutdown was observed today to register protest against the atrocities committed by the forces in the last five days. Since Friday, property worth lakhs of rupees has been destroyed by the forces. Women and children have been terrorized. Brute force has been used against peaceful and unarmed protesters,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a local, said.
He said that several youth have been rounded up by the police on charges of participating in stone pelting protests. He said many youth, who sustained injuries in the clashes, had to go for treatment to other areas of the district and elsewhere because of the siege of the Hajin hospital.
Elsewhere in Bandipora district, situation remained peaceful. No report of protests or clashes was received from any part.

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