Kashmir Valley on Friday observed shut down against the killing of civilian Muhammad Saleem Malik by forces during a cordon by forces in Noorbagh area of Qamarwari here yesterday.While authorities placed most of the resistance leaders under house arrest and barred Friday prayers for the second consecutive week at historic Jamia Masjid, reports of clashes between groups of youth and government forces were reported at several places in which some persons suffered minor injuries.All shops, commercial establishments and schools were closed while public transport of off the roads across the Valley. Private vehicles are plying on the roads.Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has called for shutdown and protests against the killing of Saleem Malik during a CASO in Noorbagh area of Qamarwari yesterday.“We strongly condemn ‘selective genocide’ of Kashmiri youth that once again resulted in the killing of an innocent Muhammad Saleem Malik in Noorbagh area of Srinagar in the wee hours today, in a ‘target killing’. We also condemn the fresh arrest spree of resistance leadership in the name of ‘creating an environment for civic polls’ and the frequent cordon-and-search operations (CASOs) across the length and breadth of Kashmir, especially in southern areas,” the JRL had said in a statement while calling for the shutdown on Friday.Reports of the shutdown were also received from other district headquarters of the valley.
Meanwhile, officials and reports said that youth took to streets at several places including Anantnag’s Ashajipora, Darin Qazigund Crossing, Kulgam’s Radwanibal, Chadoora in Budgam besides Soura, Natipora, Mehjoornagar, footbridge Parimpora in Srinagar and Main Chowk Sopore. The government forces resorted to teargas shelling at protesters and at least five persons were injured at Ashajipora, Mehjoor Nagar.The authorities also kept resistance leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz under house arrest while Yasin Malik was taken into preventive custody, sources said.Meanwhile, no Friday prayers were allowed at historic Jamia Masjid here for the second consecutive week Friday.Reports said while heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was made since morning in Old City, the authorities did not allow the prayers in the historic mosque, the fifteenth such occasion this year.“Cycle of state killing & repression continues. Muslims barred for the 2nd consecutive week& 15th this year from offering Friday prayers at #JamaMasjid, leadership & activists placed under detention, CASO continues. Meanwhile State claimer “establishing democracy at grass root level”!,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who normally offers Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Majid tweeted. (GNS)