SRINAGAR: A day after the killing of 12 militants and four civilians in security forces operations, Kashmir remained on edge and the strike called by separatists and restrictions imposed by authorities paralysed normal life in Kashmir.
Tension prevailed in south, central and north Kashmir today and authorities enforced curfew-like restrictions in parts of south Kashmir and Srinagar to foil anti-India protests and prevent youth from taking to roads and indulging in stone pelting.
The police, paramilitary and army men were deployed in strength in the curfew-bound areas to enforce the restrictions and maintain law and order.
In the areas, where restrictions were not imposed, the shutdown called by the separatists against militant and civilian killings in south Kashmir yesterday paralysed life.
All shops, business establishments, educational institutions and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport was off the roads. The working in government offices and banks was affected.
The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for two-day shutdown in Valley beginning yesterday after 12 militants and four civilians were killed in three security operations in south Kashmir yesterday. Three soldiers were also killed in one of the gunfight with militants in Shopian.
Police placed under house arrest hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani who was on last Friday freed from house detention. The moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also placed under house arrest at his Nageen residence while Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, whom Geelani had recently announced successor of his party, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, was also placed under house arrest.
Police also detained JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik from his residence in Maisuma and lodged in central Jail Srinagar on three-days judicial remand.
The youth at many places in Srinagar including Nawa Kadal, Qamarwari, Maloora, Parimpora, Rambagh and Batamaloo pelted stones on security men. The cops in retaliation fired tear smoke shells.
Clashes were also reported between youth and security personnel from Gol Chowk, Shopian. Three youth sustained pellet injuries in security forces pellet firing and have been hospitalised.
In Shopian town, doctors and paramedical staff staged protest against the indiscriminate firing by the security men inside the premises of sub-district hospital Shopian last evening. The doctors and para-medics presented a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner over the incident.
In Pulwama, protesters attacked a CRPF bunker with stones. The cops retaliated by lobbing tear smoke shells.
The clashes were also reported from Namlabal Cross KP road, Harnag and Seer Hamdan in Anantnag district and Chewa, Safapora in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Two protesters and a policeman were injured in clashes in Safapora.
Independent MLA Er Sheikh Abdur Rashid alongwith his supporters staged a protest in Srinagar against the killings in Shopian. He demanded an end to killings and granting of right to self determination to people of J&K.
Meanwhile, the separatist leaders have extended the strike by a today and called on people to observed complete shutdown on Tuesday also.
They also said the entire separatist leadership would march towards Shopian on Wednesday (April 4).
In view of the shutdown extended by the separatists, authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions in the Valley tomorrow. All exams scheduled for tomorrow have also been postponed.