Srinagar: Several areas of Srinagar were put under complete restrictions while the rest of the Valley observed a shutdown on Wednesday to mourn the death of three civilians, killed during the anti-militancy operations during the last few days. Meanwhile, protestors clashed with para military CRPF personnel in Pulwama.

As soon as the news about the killing of a third civilian (a woman) of Shopian district spread, the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) compromising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik called for a complete shutdown on Wednesday against what they termed as the ‘growing Indian aggression’, saying that Kashmiri’s won’t remain silent over such innocent killings.

Barely an hour after the JRL’s call, the district administration Srinagar decided to impose restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven Police Stations.

Officials informed ‘Kashmir Vision’ that the restrictions were imposed in several areas falling under the jurisdiction of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal Police Stations.

They said that the areas falling under the Maisuma and Kral Khud Police Stations remained under partial restrictions throughout the day under ‘precautionary measure’.

Witnesses said that heavy contingents of Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in restriction bound areas since the wee hours of the morning while the entry and exit points of the old city were sealed by the forces by erecting concertina wires.

“Nobody was allowed to move towards the restriction bound areas,” witnesses said.

Besides, the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house detention.

Mirwaiz wrote on twitter: “Placed under #HouseArrest again, while the inhuman brutal killings of #Kashmiris including our young women continue and the collaborators who preside over them sing paeans of their masters!”

Meanwhile, following the call given by the pro-freedom leaders, a complete shutdown was observed across the Valley to mourn the death of three civilians.

Three civilians including two women were killed during the anti-militancy operations in Kupwara and Shopian districts of the Valley.

Meanwhile, amid an Internet gag imposed by the Authorities, Pulwama and Shopian Districts observed a complete shutdown against the killing of civilian and two JeM militants.

All shops and business establishments remained shut while as public transport also remained off the roads. Amid the shutdown thousands of people were seen heading for the native village of Tanveer and Ruby Jan to pay tributes to them.

Later in the day clashes erupted in Tahab area of Pulwama when youth hurled stones on a CRPF camp in the area.

“Dozens of youth shouting pro militant slogans hurled stones at the nearby CRPF camp,” eyewitnesses said.

The forces however, used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

Meanwhile, Police in its statements claimed that the two women were killed in cross-firing while the magisterial probe was ordered into the killing of a Kupwara youth (cab driver). Besides, police also said that the FIR has been lodged while the investigation into the killing of Asif Dar is going on.

All the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed throughout the day while the vehicular movement was also thin on the roads.

Earlier on Tuesday, the JRL workers and activists staged protest at Abi Guzar against the killing of civilians during the anti-militancy operations.

Notably, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference working president and former chief minister, Omar Abdullah and state Congress chief, G A Mir expressed grief over the killings of civilians and expressed  solidarity with the bereaved families.

In view of the shutdown call, authorities suspended the train services for “security reasons” in the Kashmir valley today.

“We have suspended all train runs in the Kashmir valley for security reasons following advisory from the police,” reports quoting a railway official said. (with inputs from Jehangir Ganaie)

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