Strike over civilian killings disrupts life in Jammu and Kashmir

Life in Kashmir valley was disrupted on April 12 due to shutdown against civilian killings in Kulgam District even as authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar and closed colleges and schools, reports Daily Excelsior. The shutdown was called by separatists to protest against the killings. Shops and business establishments remained closed in most parts of Valley while public transport was off the roads due to the strike. The authorities also placed chairmen of Hurriyat Conference factions, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest while Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik remained lodged in central jail Srinagar.

Clashes took place in several parts of Valley including Natipora, HMT Zainakote, Mochow, Court Road Shopian, Memander, Ajas Sumbal, Drugmulla, Bumhama, near Police Lines Bandipora, Jogilanker Rainawari, Model Town Sopore and Soura. Police and CRPF used force at these places to disperse the protesters. Students of NIT Engineering College Hazratbal and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) campus Wadoora, Sopore also staged strong protest demonstrations against the civilian killings in Kashmir.

In the meantime, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik on April 12 called for peaceful Kashmir-wide protests after Friday congregational prayers against killing of civilians.