Kashmir Tense After Youth is Killed in Police Firing

NEW DELHI: It is back to clampdowns and curfew in Kashmir. A day after the killing of a 19 year old youth in North Kashmir's Palhalan area, authorities on Tuesday imposed curfew in six police stations of Srinagar area to thwart protests.

While the entire Valley observed a shutdown, restrictions were imposed in Palhalan and Sopore areas of North Kashmir.

"We have decided to impose restrictions in old Srinagar areas on Tuesday”, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone told reporters in Srinagar.

He added that the curfew would remain imposed in volatile areas falling under Police Stations of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Mahraj Jung, SafaKadal and Maisuma.

All separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik have called for a valley-wide shutdown protests against the killing.

"The trigger- happy police and security agencies have been targeting our youth to suppress the ongoing movement for right to self-determination. The killing of Farooq Ahmad is its glaring example. I strongly condemn the killing and urge people to observe complete shutdown and stage protests against it, on Tuesday,” said Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

A 19 year-old youth was killed and two others critically injured when the government forces opened fire on protesters in North Kashmir’s Palhalan area on Monday, triggering massive protest demonstrations.

According to eyewitnesses, a large number of youth were observing the second death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. They were also protesting against the nocturnal raids by the police when a white police Gypsy carrying police personnel suddenly started firing indiscriminately on the protesting youth killing one Farooq Ahmad Bhat and injuring two others.

Eye witnesses added that the slain youth Farooq was a bystander sitting outside his house at the time of protests when a bullet hit him and he fell on ground in a pool of blood.

"The police came in white gypsy and fired indiscriminately and killed Farooq" said an eyewitness.

Confirming the death, police said that they have taken cognizance of "highly regrettable and unfortunate incident" and are investigating it.

“One injured Farooq Ahmad Bhat S/O Ghulam Ahmad R/O Bhagat Mohallah, Palahan succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital. Another injured person Riyaz Ahmad Bhat of Palhalan is undergoing treatment in hospital”, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, National Conference working president and former chief minister of J&K Omar Abdullah today expressed grief over the death of a 19-year-old youth killed in firing by security forces in Palhalan in Baramulla district of North Kashmir and demanded a probe into the incident.

"A probe should investigate the circumstances leading to this tragic incident and the truth should be revealed without any delay," Omar said in a statement.