As part of mass uprising, a shutdown in Kashmir Valley was observed on day 122nd day during which situation --- barring three incidents of stone-pelting --- remained peaceful and increased movement of people and vehicles were witnessed across the Valley.Most of the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutes and other offices were closed across the Srinagar. Heavy movement of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and passenger cabs’ as well pedestrians was seen in civil line and uptown areas of the city. Hundreds of vendors had set up their stalls in Lal Chowk area and large numbers of shoppers were also seen buying winter garments.In Old City, hundreds of forces men were deployed in five police station areas of Srinagar’s Old City – MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainwari and Khanyar – since early morning. There was however civilian movement without any disruption in all these areas. Private vehicles could also been seen plying in good numbers but the vendors were invisible.
On the first death anniversary of Gowhar Nazir Dar, who was an engineering student and was killed by teargas shell fired by forces, curfew-like restrictions were imposed at HMT Zainakote to prevent protests. However despite restrictions, clashes erupted at Zainkote between youths and government forces during which forces used teargas and pepper gas shells. The clashes were on till evening hours.A police official said that soon after withdrawal of police and CRPF deployments youths took to streets at Ganderpora Eidgah and damaged vehicles plying on roads by pelting stones. The youth also raised slogans in favour of Islam and Azadi.Meanwhile, reports of shutdown were also received from other districts of the Valley. The police official said that clashes between youth and forces erupted at Kaloosa Bandipora and Harmain Shopian. Police fired teargas shells and chased away the stone-throwing youth, he added.Detailing the situation, a police spokesman said: “With heavy vehicular movement on the valley roads and a huge number of vendors on the streets, situation across the valley remained peaceful and under control.During the day no untoward incident was reported from any part of the valley till filling of this report. Police continued with its necessary security deployments on some vulnerable point in the valley to thwart away any untoward incident of disruption of peace and order.” (GNS)