Massive clashes erupted in many areas of Old City here after a youth who was hit by CRPF vehicle nearly a week ago at Parimpora succumbed to his injuries at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura this morning, sparking off anti-India protests amid shutdown on day 129 of mass uprising in Kashmir Valley.According to GNS correspondent, Rizwan Ahmad of Baghwanpora locality of Noorbagh was critically injured after being hit by an armoured vehicle of CRPF at Parimpora last week. After battling for his life at SKIMS Soura, he succumbed to his injuries today morning. Police said he was on a bike when the CRPF vehicle hit him and claimed “it was purely a normal accident”.As soon as the news of Rizwan’s death spread in Noorbagh, Sekkidafar, Eidgah and adjoining areas, hundreds of youths and women, assembled at his home and staged massive pro-independence and anti-India slogans. The body of Rizwan was taken in a large demonstration towards Eidgah martyrs’ graveyard for funeral amid massive sloganeering.Amid charged atmosphere and anti-India slogans, the youth was laid to rest.
According to witnesses, soon after burial of Rizwan, hundreds of youths took to streets at Eidgah, Waniyar and Nowpora and clashed with government forces. The clashes continued intermittently throughout the day in which several protesters sustained injuries.Meanwhile, on the day 129 of mass uprising, a shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley during which situation largely remained peaceful. Most of the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutes and other offices were closed across the Srinagar. Heavy movement of private vehicles, mini-buses, 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.In Old City, there was however civilian movement without any disruption in all these areas. Private vehicles were also seen plying in good numbers but the vendors were invisible. The vehicles on inter-district roads including passenger cabs’ were seen plying smoothly. The movement of passenger vehicles was observed on many civil lines routes.Reports said clashes erupted in Noorbagh, Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and Safa Kadal areas of downtown in the evening areas. Reports said a shutdown was also observed in all other districts of the Valley but private transport was plying smoothly and in large numbers. A police official said the day across the day passed off peacefully.(GNS)