Amidst shutdown police foils Shopian chalo march 

Srinagar: The district administration Srinagar on Wednesday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to foil the Shopian chalo march called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik. The JRL had appealed people to march towards Shopian to exhibit solidarity with the bereaved families in Shopian whose dear ones were killed during encounters on Sunday.

13 militants, four civilians and three Army troopers were killed on last Sunday during various encounters in Anantnag and Shopian districts of South Kashmir.

Later, the death toll of civilians mounted to five as the youth from Kangan area identified as Gowhar Ahmad Rather also succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS on Tuesday.

The slain militants were identified as Adil Ahmed Thoker (Age 23) of Humhuna, Shopian, Zubair Ahmad Turray (Age 26) of Shopian, Rayees Ahmed Thoker (Age 22) of Padarpora, Shopian, Nazim Ahmad Dar (Age 18) of Nagbal, Shopian, Yawar Ahmad Itoo (Age 19) of Safanagri, Shopian, Ubaid Shafi Malla (Age 19) of Trenz, Shopian, Rouf Bashir Khanday (Age 21) of Darhuna, Anantnag, Ishfaq Ahmad Malik (Age 23) of Pinjoora, Shopian, Aetimad Fayaz Malik an M Phill student of Amshipura, Shopian, Mohammad Aqib Malik (Age 20) of Ringat, Kulgam, Sameer Ahmed Lone of Hillow, Shopian, Gyas-ud-Din Thokar (Age 28) of Padarpur, Shopian and Ishfaq Ahmed Thokar (Age 25) of Padarpura, Shopian.

The civilians who were killed during the encounters were identified as Zubair Ahmad Bhat (Age 22) of Gopalpora, Kulgam, Mehraj-ud-Din Mir (Age 28) of Okey Kulgam, Mohammad Iqbal Bhat (Age 30) of Kasipora, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmad Thoker (Age 38) of Dragad, Shopian while the three Army troopers were identified as Sepoy Hetram, Gunner Nilesh Singh and  Gunner Arvindar Kumar.

In response of the Shopian chalo call, the district administration Srinagar imposed restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khanyar, M R Gunj and partial restrictions in Kral Khud and Maisuma.

Locals said that forces in large number were deployed in downtown areas since the wee hours of this morning.

Besides restrictions in Old city areas, the authorities also didn’t allow Geelani and Mirwaiz to march towards Shopian.

In South Kashmir’s Shopian district, all the roads leading to the district were sealed by the authorities to avoid any law and order problem.

Sources said that the large deployment of forces was made at Bonura, Haal and Balpora, Dalipora, Murran, Rajpora, Washbugh, Imamshab, Pinjoora, Kachdoora, Prichoo and all other areas to restrict people from reaching Shopian.

Witnesses said that amidst a shutdown, minor clashes erupted between protesters and government forces in Shopian today. However, a complete shutdown was also observed in rest of the Valley.

All the shops, business establishments, educational institutions, petrol pumps and others remained closed today while the traffic was also thin on the roads.

The educational institutions across the Valley continued to remain closed for the fourth straight day today in view of the prevailing situation across the Valley.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers in absentia were held for the slain Kangan youth in different localities of Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

Locals assembled at Eidgah Kangan and offered funeral prayers in absentia for the slain youth. They raised pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans before dispersing off peacefully.

Prayers were also held at Kijpora and Preng localities.

Clashes also erupted between protesters and government forces in Kangan area after the youth tried to take out a protest rally against the killing of Gowhar.

Reports said forces resorted to tear-gas shelling to disperse the protesting youth.

“Some youth and a policeman suffered minor injuries,” reports added.

Notably, train services also remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, S P Pani said that the situation across the Valley remained peaceful throughout the day. (with inputs from Jehangir Ganaie)

 

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