Sabzar Killing: Clashes in Valley parts, Shutdown in Tral

Srinagar/June 2: Clashes between protesters and government forces were reported from many parts of Kashmir Valley on Friday. The protesters were protesting the killing of Hizb commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat. Tral township in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district observed total shutdown against the killing of Sabzar Bhat the top Hizb ul Mujhideen Commander . Authorities have announced the closure of higher Secondary Schools and Colleges in Anantnag and Srinagar districts today
Reports said that clashes broke out between protesters and government forces in downtown Srinagar after Friday prayers.
A group of youth started shouting pro-freedom slogans at Nowhatta after Friday prayers ended at the historic Jamia Masjid.
Police and paramilitary forces deployed in the area used batons and lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them, leading to clashes between the two sides, a police official said.
He said the protesters threw stones at the forces.
Clashes between protesters and government forces were reported from different parts of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Eyewitnesses said clashes erupted at Reshi Bazar, Lal Chowk and Cheni Chowk. Police used tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters who aim pro-freedom slogans hurled rocks on them.
Reports from Apple Town Sopore town of Baramulla district said that a large number of youth carried out a procession shortly after the culmination of Friday congregational prayers. As the police stopped them, the youth pelted stones while police lobbed tear-smoke shells to disperse them. The clashes left many people wounded.
Meanwhile,The district administration in Srinagar on Friday extended the suspension of class work in all Degree Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) until tomorrow (Saturday).
“Teaching activity will remain suspended in Degree colleges and Higher Secondary Schools of district Srinagar on June 3,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone.
According to the District Magistrate Anantnag, teaching work in all the Degree Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools of the district shall remain suspended tomorrow (June 03) as a precautionary measure.
The schools and colleges across Kashmir valley remained mostly closed this week due to protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat in an encounter with government forces on Saturday.
The schools and colleges have mostly remained shut this week due to tension over the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat in an encounter with government forces past weekend in Tral region of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district
Meanwhile people in restive Tral town of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district continue to mourn the death of Hizbul Mujhadeen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat for the 7th consecutive day on Friday.
Bhat along with his associate Faizan Muzaffar was killed in an encounter at Saimouh village of the town on May 27 last week.
Reports from Tral town said that shops and business establishments and educational institutions are shut from past 7 days while transport is off the roads. Streets and roads according to eyewitnesses wear a deserted look while mourners continue to flock at the residence of Sabzar Bhat and Faizan Muzaffar- the two militants killed in the gun fight with Indian troopers.
Authorities have deployed troopers in large numbers on roads and streets. Scores of protesters had been wounded while one of them lost life when Indian forces fired upon them after they protest the killing of Hizb Commander Sabzar Bhat on May 27.
Shortly after the incident, authorities sealed the town and restricted the movement of the people even mourners were not allowed to visit the native village of Sabzar to express sympathies with the bereaved family.
“There is calm. Everything is under control though the town continues to witness shutdown after the killing of two militants,” said a police official.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was also observed for the second consecutive day in Zaingeer belt in northern part of Kashmir’s Sopore in Baramulla district, against the militant killings.
Reports said that the whole belt remained tense with shops and business establishments shut to protest the militant killings.