Civilian killings: Kashmir, Chenab Valley observe shutdown

Srinagar: Life across Valley remained affected on Sunday due to a shutdown called by the joint resistance leadership (JRL) against the Pulwama killings by government forces. A complete shutdown was also observed in Chenab Valley’s Banihal, Khari, Bhadarwah, Doda, Thathri, Gandoh and Kishtwar areas.
Seven civilians were killed during clashes when government forces resorted to pellets, live ammunition and tear smoke shells on protesters following the killing of three militants and a soldier in a gunfight at Monghama, Sirnoo in south Kashmir district.
Reports reaching GNS said that all shops and business establishments remained closed in major towns including the summer capital Srinagar, while the public transport was off the roads.
Authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPc in Pulwama district of south Kashmir and six police station areas of Srinagar.
An official said the curbs have been imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal, M R Gunj and Maisuma police station areas of the city as a ‘precautionary measure to maintain law and order and avoid any untoward incident.
The train service between Srinagar to Banihal and Srinagar to Baramulla was suspended on Monday for “security reasons”.
Stringent security measures were put in place in most parts of the areas in downtown here and other sensitive parts across south Kashmir.
However, despite heightened security, groups of youth hit streets at Gangiwara Anantnag and its adjoining areas, Noorbagh, Ganderpora Eidgah, Bonapora Batmaloo, Tangpora Byepass and Muran Chowk, Pulwama and other places and staged pro-freedom demonstrations, witnesses told GNS.
The protesters pelted stones on government forces who responded by lobbing tear smoke shells to disperse them. However, no one was reported seriously hurt in the pitched battles that continued for several hours, they said.
Reports from south Kashmir said that paramilitary CRPF men and police were deployed in strength in the four districts of Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag to prevent people from holding protests.