A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir Valley on 111th day of ongoing civil uprising while an auto rickshaw was set ablaze by unidentified persons last night at Rainwari area of summer capital here.According to GNS, 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. But the Jamia Masjid area, in view of tomorrow’s March call, was placed under restrictions by forces.In Civil Lines and uptown area of the Srinagar, the routine movement of private transport and pedestrians was once again seen since early morning but all the shops, commercial establishments and educational institutes were closed. Owing to Wednesday’s attacks by masked youth, less numbers of vendors were visible in Lal Chowk.A police official said unidentified persons yesterday had set ablaze an auto-rickshaw at Rainawari area of Old City. There were reports of a truck being set ablaze by masked youth at Parimpora area of summer capital outskirts. Police however did not confirm the incident. In the evening hours, clashes erupted at Nowhatta area of Old City between youths and government forces.
A police spokesman said here in a statement that Two hard core stone pelters who are involved in many stone pelting cases and arson cases were arrested from Jammu.A special team of Srinagar police arrested two ‘hardcore’ stone pelters namely Humair @ Nelcha and Zahid Rasool Shiekh of Nowhatta from Jammu. “The duo is involved in many stone pelting cases as also in the cases of arson,” he claimed, and said both of them were evading arrest.“They are involved in case FIR numbers 43/2016 under section 341, 435 RPC of Police Station Khanyar, 14/2010, 85/2011, 74/2012, 96/2015, 107/2016 under section 307, 148, 149, 336, 435, 427 RPC, 120 B of Police Station Nowhatta,” the police spokesman said.Reports of shutdown were also received from all other districts of Kashmir Valley. These reports said unidentified persons targeted street vendors at Sopore Town with petrol bombs for defying shutdown, resulting in some damage to their goods. Police later arrived on the spot and started manhunt to nab the attackers.At Kulgam district, suspected militants opened fire in air at Chawalgam market apparently to enforce the shutdown, a police official said here. The firing created panic among people and later government forces cordoned off the entire area.
Detailing the situation, a police spokesman said: “The situation across the valley remained normal, although a minor stone pelting incident was reported from Pulwama till filing of this report. Moharram processions were taken out in Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla.”“For the hassle free movement of the traffic, adequate deployment of police and security forces was made at vulnerable points in Srinagar city, in main towns as also on the roads, lanes and by-lanes connecting different places,” he said.The spokesman said one Mohammad Lateef Bhat resident of Khawaja Pora Saida Pora Rainawari reported in Police Station Rainawari that his auto bearing registration number JK01H-3931 was set on fire by some unknown men late last night. The auto was parked outside his residence. Srinagar police has registered a case in this regard.“In Sopore, some unknown miscreants hurled a petrol bomb near Iqbal market Sopore. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in this incident. Police has taken cognizance. In Pulwama some miscreants pelted stones on police and security force deployment at Karimabad. They were chased away,” he added.(GNS)