SRINAGAR: The government on Wednesday foiled separatists march to south Kashmir’s Shopian town by placing curbs on movement of separatist leaders and imposing restrictions in parts of the Valley.
Police, meanwhile, detained and suspended a policeman for his alleged involvement in killing of a 20-year-old youth in central Kashmir.
The police and paramilitary personnel enforced restrictions in parts of uptown and downtown Srinagar today. The restrictions were also imposed in Shopian township and some other parts of volatile south Kashmir.
The restrictions were imposed by authorities to foil separatist leaders march to Shopian against the civilian killings.
Four civilians and 13 militants were killed in three security operations in south Kashmir on Sunday. Another civilian injured in police firing in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district succumbed to injuries on Tuesday.
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani tried to defy house arrest restrictions by venturing outside. However, policemen deployed outside his residence bolted from outside the main gate of Geelani’s residence and did not open it when the hardline separatist leader tried to move out. He knocked the door for some time and then returned back.
Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also tried to defy house arrest restrictions. He was detained by the cops after he ventured out from his home and was lodged in a nearby police station. He was later released.
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has already been lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Srinagar and other parts of the Valley observed spontaneous shutdown today against the civilian and militants killings.
No separatist group or militant outfit had called for shutdown today. The separatists had called for three day shutdown till yesterday.
All shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport was off the roads.
The youth in Kangan, Shopian and some other areas of the Valley clashed with the security personnel. The youth pelted stones on the police and CRPF men, who in retaliation fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge. The clashes continued for some time.
A police spokesman said situation in the valley remained by and large peaceful today. “A policeman identified as constable Mohammad Amin was injured in stone pelting in Shopian”.
Meanwhile, a day after 20-year-old youth Gowhar Ahamad of Kangan in central Kashmir succumbed to injuries he had sustained in police firing on Monday, police today detained and suspended police constable Gulzar Ahmad (belt no. 422/Gbl).
“Consequent upon his prima facie involvement in case FIR No. 18/2018 u/s 307 RPC Selection Grade Constable Gulzar Ahmad (belt no. 422/Gbl) is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry,” reads an order issued by the SSP.
The policeman has been detained.
Police have ordered a departmental inquiry into the youth’s killing while district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry.