Shopian shuts for 2nd day in running, normal life crippled

Srinagar/May 06: Normal life remained crippled for the second day Saturday due to a strike in south Kashmir district of Shopian, where a local driver was killed when militants ambushed an Army patrol on Thursday.
Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off to the roads in main Shopian town and adjoining area though some private vehicles were plying on few interior areas in the district.
People alleged that civilian drivers were being forced to ferry security force personnel to encounter and search operation sites. “We are observing a strike for the second day Saturday to protest against civilian drivers being forced to ferry security forces. We demand that such practice should be stopped immediately so that civilians are not put in the harm’s way,” a group of local traders said.        Sheikh was killed and two Army soldiers were injured on April 4 when a group of personnel of 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), who were coming back from a search operation in a private vehicle, was ambushed by militants at village Killoora. The Army personnel were part of over 3000-strong-team that conducted a search operation in over two-dozen villages, orchards, besides forest area in Shopian in view of surge in militant activities in south Kashmir during the last four months.
However, the 10-hour long search operation was called off after no contact was established with militants.