A complete shutdown was Wednesday observed across the Valley to mourn the death of three civilians who were killed during clashes near encounter site in Durbugh village of Chadoora area Kashmir’s Budgam district.A local militant, resident of Yaripora Kulgam was also killed in the encounter, police had said.The shutdown call was given by the joint resistance leadership including Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik in their joint statement to KNS on Tuesday.All the shops, business establishments, educational institutes, petrol pumps and other establishments remained closed while the vehicular movement remained thin on roads throughout the day.Notably, the Authorities had suspended the train services across Kashmir valley in view of the shutdown call guven by the resistance leadership.“In view of shutdown call floated by separatist organizations which could lead to law and order situations in the valley tomorrow, March 29, the Baramulla-Banihal rail service may please be suspended tomorrow, March 29,” said an order, issued yesterday.Meanwhile, the witnesses informed KNS that a huge contingent of police and CRPF troopers were deployed on the roads in sensitive areas including Nowhatta, Khanyar and others aimed to thwart any possible protests against the Chadoora civilian killings.
Meanwhile, thousands of people in Yaripora village of Kulgam district participated in the funeral procession of a militant who was killed in an encounter on Tuesday at Chadoora.Reports said that the multiple funeral prayers were held or the slain militant.The participants also raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans during the funeral procession.Reports said that following the funeral procession, clashes erupted between youth and forces in the village during which forces resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them.According to KNS correspondent, the clashes were reports from several areas including Palhallan and old Baramulla area of north Kashmir, parts of Srinagar including Batamaloo and Habba Kadal.Witnesses informed KNS the forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them.Meanwhile, local sources informed KNS that in Ajas area of Bandipora, the funeral prayers in absentia were held for the Chadoora civilians in which scores of people participated.They added that following the funeral prayers in absentia, the people staged Dharna against the civilian killings during which anti-India and pro-freedom slogans were raised.Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Kashmir Range, Ghulam Hassan Bhat told KNS that the overall situation today remained under control.However, he said, “A few minor stone pelting incident took place in Rangreth and other Srinagar areas. No injury was reported anywhere,” he said. (KNS)