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| India-Pakistan | |
| Shutdown, restrictions hit Kashmir | |
| 2010-07-19 | |
| SRINAGAR/BARAMULLA — A shutdown called by separatists and restrictions imposed by authorities paralysed life in Srinagar on Sunday, a day after normalcy was restored following 12 days of turmoil. In Baramulla residents alleged a Class 7 student, identified as Faizan Ahmad Buhroo, drowned in the Jhelum river after being chased by security forces. Security personnel had reportedly chased a stone-pelting mob at Azadgunj Bridge in the town Saturday evening. The teenager, who was among the mob, jumped into the river to escape security forces, reports said.
“So far, we haven’t met any success, but the search is going on,” said another official of the Baramulla district administration. Irate youth attacked police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents deployed to enforce restrictions in the town following tension triggered in the town over the reported drowning of the youth. District Magistrate (Baramulla) Bashir Ahmad Bhat told reporters: “Circumstances leading to the boy’s drowning will be thoroughly probed once we recover his body.” In the neighbouring Sopore town, which is the hotbed of separatist violence, authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions to maintain law and order. Life was paralysed as the hardline separatist Hurriyat group headed by Syed Ali Geelani called for a valley-wide shutdown on Sunday to protest alleged human rights violations by security forces in Kashmir. “Restrictions have been imposed in Srinagar’s Old City areas and uptown Maisuma, Batmaloo and Humhama localities to prevent violence,” a police officer said here early this morning. Police and CRPF contingents moved out early morning to enforce restrictions in the city. Traffic intersections were blocked with coils of razor-fitted wire in the Old City and in Maisuma and Batmaloo areas. Both vehicular and pedestrian movement has been disallowed by security forces. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |