Kashmir shuts against Kulgam Killings

Srinagar: Amid restrictions in Srinagar parts, a complete shutdown was on Monday observed across the Valley to protest against the Kulgam killings that took place in an explosion at gunfight site in Laroo area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday.
The shutdown call was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik in a joint statement on Sunday.
The traders and auto-rickshaw drivers association had extended support to the shutdown call by the JRL.
In view of the shutdown call, the district administration Srinagar had imposed restrictions in Srinagar areas today to thwart any possible protest against Kulgam deaths.
Witnesses said a huge contingent of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in Old City areas Monday, who had also erected concertina wires on the roads, thus halting the vehicular and pedestrian movement in the area.
Besides, all the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and other establishments remained closed while as the traffic was also thin on the roads.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted between youth and forces in Rambagh, Chanapora and Chattabal areas of Srinagar during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the agitating youth.
Besides, the students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at Wadoora Sopore staged a protest against the Kulgam killings on Sunday.
The students assembled inside the varsity premises and raised slogans in favor of freedom. They were also holding banners displaying slogans like ‘No job, development, roads, we want freedom’, strongly condemn civilian killings in Kashmir’ and others.
“Government of India is turning their eye blind towards the situation in Kashmir,” the students said.
Meanwhile, the railway authorities had suspended the train services in Kashmir.
Officials said that train services from Baramulla to Banihal remained suspended as security reasons Monday.
Pertinently, JRL has also called for sit in protest at Lal Chowk on Tuesday against the Kulgam deaths.
Meanwhile, a top police official told KNS that the situation remained peaceful and under control throughout the day.