JRL called shutdown paralyzes life across Kashmir

3 injured in fresh protests against Lashkar militants, civilian’s killing

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 18-Oct-2018

Fresh clashes broke out in parts of this capital city as a shutdown called by joint resistance leadership (JRL) against the Fateh Kadal killings brought life to a grinding halt in this capital city and other majors towns of the Valley on Thursday.Reports reaching Global News Service (GNS) said that all shops, private offices, educational institutes remained closed today in Srinagar, while the movement of transport was also affected due to the strike called by the JRL against the atrocities of the government forces and the killing of militants and a civilian in Fateh Kadal locality here on Wednesday morning.Carrying riot gear and automatic rifles, CRPF troopers and police maintained a tight vigil in parts of downtown, where massive protests broke out after the killing of two Lashkar militants and a civilian in an encounter leaving at least twenty people injured.In downtown areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and Maharaj Gunj restrictions under Section 144 CrPc were imposed to prevent protests against the Fateh Kadal killings.

However, despite heightened security, groups of youth appeared on roads and clashed with the forces at Rainawari, Khanyar, Zaldagar, Soura and Noorbagh. Besides chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the angry youth also pelted stones on the forces triggering fierce clashes.Forces, eyewitnesses said used several teargas canisters to disperse the stone pelting youth. The ding-dong clashes continued for several hours leaving at least three people injured, witnesses told GNS.Meanwhile, internet service was restored in Srinagar after a day’s of suspension in wake of the Lashkar militants killings.Reports of shutdown on JRL call have also been received from other parts of south, north and central parts of Kashmir, where all shops and offices and movement of public transport was affected.On Wednesday, Lashkar commander, Mehraj-ud-Din Bangroo along with his associate Fahad Mushtaq Waza was killed in a fierce encounter in Fateh Kadal area of the city. A civilian Rayees Ahmad and a policeman Kamal Kishore were also slain in the encounter.The killings had triggered massive protests prompting authorities to suspend internet services and class work in educational institutions. (GNS)