Shutdown and clashes were witnessed in Beerwah town of Central Kashmir’s Budgam against the  killing of a civilian.

Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in Beerwah town of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Saturday. As per reports youth took to streets and tried to march towards the martyrs’ graveyard where a youth who was killed in army firing yesterday was laid to rest.  Government forces deployed in the area resorted to tear smoke shelling to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes. Following the shutdown the internet services were suspended on the second day in the entire Budgam district.  The service was suspended yesterday as a “precautionary measure”, said an official.

A complete shutdown was observed in Beerwah and adjoining areas to protest the killing. Shops and other business establishments are closed in Beerwah town, Khag and Aripanthan areas.

Fierce protested had erupted in the town where a youth was killed and another injured in the targeted firing by Army. A youth who was identified as Tanveer Ahmad Pala was critically injured after he was hit by a bullet in his head.  A tailor by profession the youth was rushed to the  primary health centre (PHC) Gondipora where he succumbed. Another youth identified as Mohammad Ibrahimm Wani, was injured as armed force fired upon a group who were pelting stones before prayers in the main market of Beerwah.

Following the incident fierce protests erupted in the area and local people refused to bury the body until action was taken against the concerned force personnel of 53 RR.  After the incident, police said that a first information report (FIR) has been lodged against army over the killing of the youth.

A senior police official of the district said that an FIR has been registered against Army’s 53 RR over the killing of Tanveer Ahmad. Police has said that another youth Ibrahim Ahmad Wani of Goripora village was injured after army opened fire on protesters in the town.

 Police earlier said that as per initial information received a foot patrol of army was returning to its camp and near Beerwah some miscreants pelted stones on them.

 He said that “someone among the miscreants” hurled a fire cracker towards the army men.  “Because of bang, the army men thought a grenade was hurled and they retaliated. Two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Pala and Mohammed Ibrahim Wani were injured.

Among them Tanveer succumbed to his injuries while Ibrahim is stable,” said the spokesman.

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