A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir on Sunday against the killing of a youth in Batamaloo area of Srinagar on late Saturday evening.The shutdown call was given by the joint resistance leadership including the Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik in their joint statement.All the shops, business establishments and other commercial establishments remained closed in the Kashmir valley while the Public transport was off the roads.The roads in Batamaloo area where a youth was killed on late Saturday evening wore a deserted look today as the authorities had imposed restrictions in the area to thwart any possible protests against the killing.The clashes were also reported in a few areas in different districts today.Local sources told KNS that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Rainawari area of Srinagar during which the forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them.
Meanwhile, a youth was injured after forces opened fire to disperse protesters near Achan village of Pulwama district, locals said.Locals said that clashes erupted in Heff village of adjacent Shopian district after forces launched an operation following inputs about the presence of militants.They said that forces resorted to aerial firing and teargas shells to disperse stone-throwing protesters during which a youth was injured.The injured youth was shifted to a hospital for treatment.Locals said that the forces ransacked and damaged the house of Sayar Ahmad Lone in Lonepora in Heff village.Police in their statement issued to KNS said acting on specific information about presence of militants in village Heff of Shopian a cordon and search operation was launched.“While the cordon was being laid a mob of people assembled. The militants fired upon the security forces and taking advantage of the mob they managed to escape,” the police statement said.
The statement reads that after sometime it was learnt that one person has received a bullet injury in his shoulder and was admitted in Pulwama district hospital. “His condition is stated to be stable so far. Police has taken up the investigation in the incident,” the statement reads.Meanwhile, reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters of the valley. A top police official told KNS that barring a few minor stone pelting incidents, the situation remained under control. Pertinently, a youth was shot dead by forces on late Saturday evening in Batamaloo, while police had said it is investigating the incident.The youth identified as Sajad Hussain Sheikh of Chundoosa Baramulla, presently living in SD Colony, Batamaloo, was killed when he was walking on a road.Locals had said that a few stones hit security forces vehicle which was caught in a traffic jam and they fired on the youth who was walking nearby. (KNS)