Youth's killing triggers clashes in J&K, probe ordered

Clashes erupted against the killing of a youth in Kashmir’s Baramulla district by security forces, even as the district authorities set up a probe committee to investigate the incident.

Security forces shot dead 19-year-old Farooq Ahmed Bhat from Palhalan in Baramulla during a protest rally. The killing triggered violent protests prompting authorities to impose curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar, volatile Sopore town and Palhalan on Tuesday.

Reports said authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Safakadal, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Rainawari police stations in Srinagar and some other towns of the Valley to thwart any protest demonstration against the killing of Bhat, a class 12th student.

Hundreds of police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength to prevent people from staging protests. Life was also partially hit in uptown areas of the city.

There was skeletal movement of traffic on the roads while government offices recorded thin attendance, reports added. Separatist leaders continued to remain either under house arrest or detained in police stations for the second consecutive day, in what police described as a move to maintain law and order.

Reports said authorities had sealed all roads leading to Palhalan to thwart protests. However, they said thousands of mourners turned up for the funeral of the murdered youth despite restrictions.

Eyewitnesses told Deccan Herald over phone that groups of youth attacked the troopers and policemen with stones soon after the funeral prayers.

“The forces hurled teargas canisters to disperse the protesters. However, the protesters regrouped and continued fresh assaults on the forces,” they said, adding at least two protesters and three policemen sustained injuries.